Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, a Jordanian citizen residing in Orlando, Florida, has been charged with multiple offenses including destruction of an energy facility and threatening to use explosives against businesses he believed supported Israel. Hnaihen is accused of smashing windows of businesses in the Orlando area and leaving threatening letters promising to destroy or explode establishments that supported Israel. He also attacked a solar panel farm in Florida, causing $700,000 in damages by cutting wires and permanently decommissioning panels with premeditation and sophistication.
Prosecutors noted that Hnaihen’s threats and destructive actions were escalating in recent weeks, leading to concerns about public safety. In addition to the destruction at the solar panel farm, Hnaihen attempted to purchase a firearm and lied about his US citizenship status during the process. However, he was prevented from acquiring the weapon when the issue was discovered in a background check. Hnaihen’s escalating behavior led to fears among law enforcement and prosecutors about the potential for further violence if he was released from custody.
In a detention memo, prosecutors detailed the extent of the damage caused by Hnaihen at the solar panel farm and the impact it had on operations. They highlighted his methodical approach to permanently disabling the panels by cutting wires in a way that made repair impossible. The destruction of the panels and the threats made by Hnaihen caused significant disruption to businesses and law enforcement agencies, prompting concerns about the safety of the community if he was not kept behind bars. The judge presiding over the case was warned about the seriousness of Hnaihen’s actions and the potential for further harm if he was released.
Prosecutors pointed to an incident at an industrial propane gas depot where a warning letter identical to the ones left by Hnaihen was discovered, leading to disruptions in operations as a hazmat team cleared the scene. While no damage was found at the facility at that time, law enforcement agencies were on high alert due to the potential for further threats and violence from Hnaihen. The discovery of the warning letter outside the gas depot added to the evidence of Hnaihen’s escalating behavior and his threats against businesses he believed supported Israel, raising concerns about the need to keep him in custody for the safety of the public.
In conclusion, Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen faces multiple charges related to the destruction of an energy facility and threatening to use explosives against businesses he believed supported Israel. His escalating behavior, as evidenced by the destruction at the solar panel farm and the discovery of warning letters at a gas depot, raised concerns about public safety and the need to keep him behind bars. Prosecutors outlined the extent of the damage caused by Hnaihen’s actions and the potential for further violence if he was released, leading to a decision to hold him in custody pending a resolution in the case.
