Latest news with #Hnaihen
Epoch Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Jordanian Man Gets 6 Years for Attacking Florida Power Facility, Businesses Over Support of Israel
ORLANDO, Fla.—A Jordanian man living in central Florida accused of causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage at a solar power facility and vandalizing multiple private businesses over their perceived support for the state of Israel was sentenced Thursday to six years in prison. Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, 44, was sentenced in Orlando federal court, according to court records. He pleaded guilty in December to threatening to use explosives and destruction of an energy facility. A restitution hearing will be held to address the more than $450,000 in damage, officials said. 'Threatening to commit mass violence against American citizens and targeting businesses or institutions for destruction will not be tolerated,' U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Gregory W. Kehoe said in a statement. According to court records, Hnaihen began going to businesses at night while wearing a mask last June and smashing the front doors. Prosecutors said Hnaihen left behind 'warning letters,' which were addressed to the U.S. government. The letters laid out a series of political demands, culminating in a threat to 'destroy or explode everything here in whole America. Especially the companies and factories that support the racist state of Israel.' Near the end of June, Hnaihen broke into a solar power generation facility in Wedgefield, Florida, investigators said. He spent several hours systematically destroying solar panel arrays, officials said. Two more copies of the warning letter were left behind. After a multiagency investigation, Hnaihen was arrested July 11 on local charges after another warning letter was discovered at an industrial propane gas distribution depot in Orlando, officials said. He was transferred to federal custody after his indictment. Related Stories 2/14/2025 11/28/2024
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jordanian man in Florida sentenced for vandalism tied to anti-Israel motive
The Brief A Jordanian man living in Florida was sentenced to six years for damaging a solar facility and businesses over pro-Israel ties. He left threatening letters promising mass destruction across America. Authorities say the attacks caused over $450,000 in damage and raised infrastructure security concerns. ORLANDO, Fla. - A Jordanian man living in Florida was sentenced to six years for damaging a solar facility and businesses over pro-Israel ties. What we know A Jordanian national living in central Florida has been sentenced to six years in federal prison after admitting to a campaign of politically motivated vandalism, including damage to a solar energy facility and local businesses. Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, 44, pleaded guilty to threatening the use of explosives and to the destruction of an energy facility. The total damage exceeds $450,000, with a restitution hearing still pending, federal prosecutors said. Court documents reveal that Hnaihen targeted facilities he believed supported the state of Israel, leaving behind letters that detailed political grievances and threats. He wore a mask and acted primarily at night, leaving what authorities described as "warning letters" addressed to the U.S. government. What we don't know Authorities have not publicly detailed how Hnaihen chose his targets beyond the alleged political motivation. The content of his letters—beyond general threats and anti-Israel statements—has not been fully disclosed. Officials also have not confirmed whether Hnaihen was working alone or whether any wider networks were involved. Furthermore, there has been no indication if federal authorities are investigating his ties to any domestic or international groups. The motive behind his escalation from business vandalism to critical infrastructure remains under investigation, and officials have not stated whether other facilities were potentially at risk. The backstory Hnaihen's acts began in June 2023, when prosecutors say he initiated a series of nighttime attacks on businesses in the Orlando area. He smashed storefronts and left politically charged notes decrying U.S. support for Israel. Later that month, he broke into a solar power generation facility in Wedgefield, where he caused widespread destruction to solar panel arrays over several hours. His campaign culminated in early July with an incident at a propane gas distribution center, where investigators recovered another of his notes. The repeated pattern of targeting energy-related facilities and critical infrastructure escalated concerns among law enforcement agencies. What they're saying Federal officials have underscored the seriousness of Hnaihen's actions and the broader threat they posed. "Threatening to commit mass violence against American citizens and targeting businesses or institutions for destruction will not be tolerated," said U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Gregory W. Kehoe in a statement following the sentencing. Court records and prosecutors noted the threatening language in the letters, including a vow to "destroy or explode everything here in whole America," particularly businesses supporting what Hnaihen called "the racist state of Israel." Big picture view Hnaihen's case underscores growing concern over politically motivated domestic threats, particularly those targeting infrastructure under the guise of foreign policy grievances. While his actions were not linked to a broader group, the methodical nature of the attacks and the symbolic targeting of energy sites raise alarms about the vulnerabilities of critical systems and the potential for ideologically driven lone actors to cause significant damage. This incident also resonates locally, particularly in Florida, where communities depend on stable energy infrastructure and where debates over the intersection of foreign policy and domestic safety have intensified in recent years. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on reporting by the Associated Press.
Associated Press
01-05-2025
- Associated Press
Jordanian man gets 6 years for attacking Florida power facility, businesses over support of Israel
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A Jordanian man living in central Florida accused of causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage at a solar power facility and vandalizing multiple private businesses over their perceived support for the state of Israel was sentenced Thursday to six years in prison. Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, 44, was sentenced in Orlando federal court, according to court records. He pleaded guilty in December to threatening to use explosives and destruction of an energy facility. A restitution hearing will be held to address the more than $450,000 in damage, officials said. 'Threatening to commit mass violence against American citizens and targeting businesses or institutions for destruction will not be tolerated,' U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Gregory W. Kehoe said in a statement. According to court records, Hnaihen began going to businesses at night while wearing a mask last June and smashing the front doors. Prosecutors said Hnaihen left behind 'warning letters,' which were addressed to the United States government. The letters laid out a series of political demands, culminating in a threat to 'destroy or explode everything here in whole America. Especially the companies and factories that support the racist state of Israel.' Near the end of June, Hnaihen broke into a solar power generation facility in Wedgefield, Florida, investigators said. He spent several hours systematically destroying solar panel arrays, officials said. Two more copies of the warning letter were left behind. After a multiagency investigation, Hnaihen was arrested July 11 on local charges after another warning letter was discovered at an industrial propane gas distribution depot in Orlando, officials said. He was transferred to federal custody after his indictment.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Jordanian sentenced to six years in US prison for anti-Israel attacks
By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Jordanian national in Orlando, Florida, was sentenced to six years in U.S. federal prison for threats against and attacks on businesses over their perceived support for Israel, the U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Rights advocates have noted rising threats in the U.S. against Jews, Muslims, Arabs, Palestinians and Israelis since the start of U.S. ally Israel's war in Gaza after an October 2023 attack by Palestinian Hamas militants. CONTEXT Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, 44, described by prosecutors as "a Jordanian national residing illegally in Orlando," broke into a solar power generation facility in Wedgefield, Florida, in June 2024, according to prosecutors. He caused more than $450,000 in damage, the Justice Department said in a statement. He also broke doors and threatened other businesses. He was arrested in July 2024, charged in August and pleaded guilty in December. KEY QUOTES "According to court documents, beginning around June 2024, Hnaihen targeted and attacked businesses in the Orlando area for their perceived support for Israel," the Justice Department said. "Wearing a mask, under the cover of night, Hnaihen smashed the glass front doors of businesses and left behind "Warning Letters.""
Straits Times
01-05-2025
- Straits Times
Jordanian sentenced to six years in US prison for anti-Israel attacks
Jordanian sentenced to six years in US prison for anti-Israel attacks WASHINGTON - A Jordanian national in Orlando, Florida, was sentenced to six years in U.S. federal prison for threats against and attacks on businesses over their perceived support for Israel, the U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Rights advocates have noted rising threats in the U.S. against Jews, Muslims, Arabs, Palestinians and Israelis since the start of U.S. ally Israel's war in Gaza after an October 2023 attack by Palestinian Hamas militants. CONTEXT Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, 44, described by prosecutors as "a Jordanian national residing illegally in Orlando," broke into a solar power generation facility in Wedgefield, Florida, in June 2024, according to prosecutors. He caused more than $450,000 in damage, the Justice Department said in a statement. He also broke doors and threatened other businesses. He was arrested in July 2024, charged in August and pleaded guilty in December. KEY QUOTES "According to court documents, beginning around June 2024, Hnaihen targeted and attacked businesses in the Orlando area for their perceived support for Israel," the Justice Department said. "Wearing a mask, under the cover of night, Hnaihen smashed the glass front doors of businesses and left behind "Warning Letters."" REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
