Overview
- U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a federal arson complaint on Sept. 25 against Blake Richard Hoover, 31, for the Sept. 19 blaze at the Chabad Jewish Center in Punta Gorda, carrying a five- to twenty-year sentencing range if convicted.
- Investigators say the late-night fire was intentionally set in a children’s classroom, with the letter “J” spray-painted in three locations on the property; no injuries were reported.
- Evidence detailed in the complaint includes traces of accelerant, a broken screen and window, license-plate-reader data placing Hoover’s vehicle near the site, and the recovery of a spray paint can and a gas can during searches.
- Family members alerted authorities, with the mother and an aunt reporting prior threats and statements of hatred toward Jewish people and LGBTQ individuals, and noting he referred to Jews as “Js,” according to affidavits.
- Hoover made an initial court appearance on Sept. 23 with a public defender, did not enter a plea, had $25,000 bond set on the criminal-mischief charge as the state seeks detention on arson, and ATF and FBI joined the case as local police increased patrols for holiday events.