Orlando man charged with threats, attack on energy facility

ORLANDO, Fla. — A 43-year-old Orlando man is facing multiple charges for allegedly threatening to use explosives and attacking an energy facility.

Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, a Jordanian citizen residing in Orlando, was charged with four counts of threatening to use explosives and one count of destruction of an energy facility, according to federal authorities. These charges stem from alleged incidents beginning in June 2024, where Mr Hnaihen reportedly targeted businesses in the Orlando area due to their perceived support for Israel.

Federal prosecutors allege that Hnaihen’s actions included smashing the glass front doors of businesses, leaving behind threatening letters addressed to the U.S. government, and escalating his attacks by damaging a solar power generation facility in Wedgefield, Florida. The damage to the facility is estimated to exceed $700,000.

Following a multiagency investigation, Mr Hnaihen was arrested on July 11 after another threatening letter was discovered at an industrial propane gas distribution depot. He now faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

The FBI, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and several local police departments are involved in the ongoing investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Varadan is prosecuting the case with support from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

An indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.