April 17, 2024

After a thorough, independent review of all of the facts, evidence, and circumstances surrounding the March 16 fire that destroyed the Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center and the Friendship Grill in Fort Lauderdale, Broward State Attorney’s Office prosecutors today filed criminal charges – including first-degree and second-degree arson – against Scott Hannaford.

Another attempted arson involving the same suspect that occurred minutes earlier at the neighboring Kavasutra Kava Bar is still under investigation by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and Broward prosecutors.

Hannaford, 50, remains jailed while the case is pending. If convicted, the four charges carry maximum possible penalties of 30, 15, five, and five years in state prison.

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s investigation found that the suspect, who has a history of mental health issues, is accused of intentionally setting fire to the rabbi’s car, which quickly spread to and destroyed the Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center and the Friendship Grill. This happened less than ten minutes after the same suspect attempted to set fire to the Kavasutra Kava Bar next door.

Due to the totality of the facts and evidence, including that nonreligious and religious locations were targeted in the same incident, the alleged acts did not meet the legal threshold under Florida state law for prosecutors to apply a hate crime enhancement to what is already a first-degree felony. (Hate crime enhancements under the Florida statute reclassify a third-degree felony to a second-degree and a second-degree to a first-degree felony, for example. The top charge filed in this case is already a first-degree felony.)

“Our commitment to combating hate crimes is steadfast and vigorously pursuing these heinous and serious crimes is a top priority for me and the Broward State Attorney’s Office,” said Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor. “When there is evidence to support a hate crime enhancement, we will file it.”

“During my meeting with the rabbi this week, I assured him, his congregation, and our entire Broward community that we will continue to stand together against hate.”

The first-degree felony arson charge (30 years maximum penalty) relates to the fire that destroyed the Chabad synagogue and Friendship Grill; the second-degree felony arson charge (15 years maximum penalty) relates to the fire that destroyed the rabbi’s vehicle; a third-degree felony criminal mischief involving a synagogue or place of worship (five years maximum penalty) was also filed; and the defendant is also charged with third-degree felony possession of cocaine (five years maximum penalty).

Related documents can be viewed under case number 24003029CF10A at www.browardclerk.org

The Broward State Attorney’s Office Hate Crimes Unit filed 23 hate crime cases from the start of 2021 through the end of 2023. It also hosts numerous community events and training sessions to educate and encourage residents to report hate crimes, raise awareness, and deter offenders.

If you are the victim of a hate crime or witness a hate crime, please call 911 or your local law enforcement agency immediately. You can also contact the Broward State Attorney’s Office Hate Crimes Unit at https://browardsao.com/hate-crimes-unit/ and our Hate Crimes Hotline at 954-831-8059.