Executive Summary
Laws and Precedent
A Punta Gorda man, Blake Richard Hoover, 31, has been charged with arson for allegedly setting fire to the Chabad Jewish Center in Punta Gorda, Florida, on September 19, 2025. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the charges, which carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in federal prison if Hoover is convicted.
Arson Investigation Details
According to the criminal complaint, Hoover is accused of intentionally setting a fire at the Chabad Jewish Center, located at 424 W. Hendry Street. The center serves as both a Hebrew school and a community synagogue for people of Jewish faith.
The fire alarm at the center was activated at approximately 10:48 p.m. on September 19, 2025. After the fire was extinguished, investigators determined it was an act of arson. Three areas within the center were also found to have been recently spray-painted with the letter “J.”
Suspect Identification and Evidence
On September 22, 2025, law enforcement received a tip from an individual who identified Hoover as a suspect. This person stated that Hoover had previously expressed an intent to burn down the Chabad Jewish Center and harbored hatred towards Jewish people.
The informant also indicated that Hoover left his residence on the evening of September 19, 2025, and returned later with a spray paint can. A gas can that had gone missing earlier that night was also returned to Hoover’s residence empty. When confronted about what he had spray-painted, Hoover reportedly replied, “the letter ‘J’.”
Further investigation revealed that a license plate reader captured Hoover’s vehicle in the vicinity of the Chabad Jewish Center at approximately 10:09 p.m., shortly before the fire alarm was triggered. A subsequent search warrant executed at Hoover’s residence led to the recovery of a spray paint can and a gas can.
Legal Process and Agencies Involved
This case is being investigated by a joint task force including the Punta Gorda Police Department, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney Simon Eth will prosecute the case.
It is important to note that a complaint is an allegation, and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Summary
Blake Richard Hoover of Punta Gorda faces federal arson charges in connection with a fire at the Chabad Jewish Center. The investigation, involving multiple law enforcement agencies, uncovered evidence linking Hoover to the incident, including witness statements, vehicle tracking, and items recovered from his residence. If convicted, Hoover could face a significant prison sentence.
