Jordanian Sentenced to 6 Years for Assaulting Florida Power Facility and Businesses in Pro-Israel Protest

ORLANDO, Fla.—A 44-year-old Jordanian man residing in central Florida has been sentenced to six years in prison for causing extensive damage at a solar power facility and vandalizing several businesses due to their perceived support for Israel.

Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen received his sentence in federal court in Orlando. He pled guilty in December to charges related to the use of explosives and destruction of an energy facility. A hearing will be scheduled to address over $450,000 in damages, according to officials.

“Threatening mass violence against American citizens and targeting businesses or institutions will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, Gregory W. Kehoe, in a statement.

Documents from the court indicate that Hnaihen began his vandalism spree in June, visiting businesses at night while wearing a mask and smashing front doors. Prosecutors noted that he left behind “warning letters” directed at the U.S. government, which included a series of political demands and a threat to “destroy or explode everything here in all of America, especially the companies that support the racist state of Israel.”

In late June, Hnaihen reportedly broke into a solar power facility in Wedgefield, Florida, where he spent several hours destroying solar panel arrays. Two additional copies of the warning letter were found at the scene.

Following a multi-agency investigation, Hnaihen was arrested on July 11 after another warning letter was discovered at a propane gas distribution site in Orlando. He was subsequently transferred into federal custody following his indictment.

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