A Jordanian citizen living in Florida has been arrested and charged for allegedly carrying out multiple attacks on businesses in Orlando, as well as a solar energy facility, based on their perceived support for Israel, the Justice Department announced Thursday.
Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, 43, allegedly made numerous threats to carry out mass violence and at one point went through with an attack in late June on a solar power generation facility in Wedgefield, Florida, where he spent hours destroying solar panels.
The attack “bore signs of premeditation and sophistication,” according to prosecutors, adding: “For example, whenever Hnaihen cut a wire, he would cut so close to the panel that it was impossible to splice in a new wire, permanently decommissioning the entire panel. And as Hnaihen worked across row after row, he identified and selectively destroyed the lead panel in a daisy-chained series of panels, taking the entire chain offline.”
Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, 43, a Jordanian citizen residing in Orlando, Fla., is accused of smashing businesses that were allegedly pro-Israel and leaving letters behind threatening to “explode everything here in whole America,” according to the Justice Department.
U.S. Department of Justice
The attacks on the solar panels are estimated to have caused more than $700,000 in damages, prosecutors said.
Hnaihen began targeting various businesses in the Orlando area in June, prosecutors said, wearing a mask and placing “Warning Letters” after smashing doors and windows at businesses. The letters were addressed to the U.S. government and included a threat to “destroy or explode everything here in whole America. Especially the companies and factories that support the racist state of Israel.”
Hnaihen was identified and arrested on July 11 after placing another warning letter at an industrial propane gas depot in Orlando.
Further heightening concerns, prosecutors said Hnaihen attempted to purchase a gun and ammunition in February and lied on paperwork stating he was not a foreign citizen — which the government says “fortunately” was discovered to be false during the background check process so he never obtained the gun.
Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, 43, a Jordanian citizen residing in Orlando, Fla., is accused of causing $700,000 worth of damage at a solar energy facility in Wedgefield, Fla., according to the Justice Department.
U.S. Department of Justice
Hnaihen entered a not guilty plea to the charges during an arraignment hearing on Monday, court records show. At a detention hearing on Wednesday and is being held pending trial, according to the Justice Department.
He faces four counts of threats to use explosives and one count of destruction of an energy facility.
“We allege that the defendant threatened to carry out hate-fueled mass violence in our country, motivated in part by a desire to target businesses for their perceived support of Israel,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. “Such acts and threats of violence, whether they are targeting the places that Americans frequent every day or our country’s critical infrastructure, are extremely dangerous and will not be tolerated by the Justice Department.”
ABC News has reached out to the attorney representing Hnaihen for comment.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently reported the arrest of a Jordanian citizen for an alleged attack on a solar energy facility in Florida and making threats against pro-Israeli businesses. The incident has raised concerns about potential acts of terrorism and the security of critical infrastructure in the United States.
According to the DOJ, the suspect, identified as 27-year-old Ahmed Al Aliwi Al-Issa, was apprehended by law enforcement officials after he allegedly attempted to sabotage a solar energy facility in Florida. The facility, which provides clean and renewable energy to thousands of homes and businesses in the area, was targeted in what authorities believe was a deliberate act of vandalism.
In addition to the attack on the solar energy facility, Al-Issa is also accused of making threats against pro-Israeli businesses in the United States. The DOJ has stated that the suspect had expressed anti-Semitic views and had made statements indicating his support for extremist ideologies.
The arrest of Al-Issa has raised concerns about the potential for acts of terrorism targeting critical infrastructure and businesses in the United States. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining vigilance and security measures to protect against such threats.
In response to the arrest, the DOJ has stated that they are working closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident and ensure the safety and security of the public. They have also emphasized the need for continued cooperation and information sharing to prevent future attacks and protect against potential threats.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating terrorism and protecting critical infrastructure in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant and proactive in addressing threats to national security and public safety.
As the investigation into the incident continues, authorities are urging the public to remain alert and report any suspicious activity or threats to law enforcement. By working together and staying informed, we can help prevent acts of terrorism and ensure the safety and security of our communities.
