Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, 44, of Orlando, pleaded guilty this week to four counts of threatening to use explosives and one count of destruction of an energy facility.
“… the defendant is admitting he attacked a solar power facility, damaged a number of Florida businesses, and left a series of threatening messages about perceived support for Israel,” said Director Christopher Wray of the FBI. “Violence, destruction of property, and threats are simply unacceptable. The FBI will work with our partners to pursue and hold accountable those who commit illegal and destructive acts and cause our citizens to fear for their safety and livelihoods.”
Court documents reveal that starting in June, Hnaihen targeted Orlando businesses he believed supported Israel.
Wearing a mask and acting under cover of night, he shattered glass storefronts and left behind “Warning Letters.”
In these letters, addressed to the U.S. government, Hnaihen issued political demands and threatened to “destroy or explode everything here in whole America,” specifically targeting companies and factories linked to Israel.
The attacks escalated. In late June, as authorities worked to identify the perpetrator, Hnaihen broke into a solar power facility in Wedgefield, Florida, systematically destroying solar panels, cutting wires, and damaging critical electronics.
He left two more copies of his threatening letters, causing nearly $500,000 in damages.
On July 11, after a multiagency investigation, Hnaihen was arrested shortly after another threatening letter was found at a propane gas distribution depot in Orlando.
Hnaihen faces up to 10 years in prison for each threat and up to 20 years for damaging the energy facility. He has agreed to pay full restitution to his victims.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Varadan for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Ryan White and George Kraehe of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.