Terror Suspect in Nevada Solar Plant Fire Found Incompetent for Trial

Mohammed Mesmarian is led out of the courtroom after he interrupted the court proceedings before his case being called during his arraignment at the Regional Justice Center, in Las Vegas, on Jan. 10, 2023. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

A Nevada judge has ruled that a man facing terror-related charges after allegedly driving his vehicle through a gate at a solar power plant near Las Vegas and setting the car on fire is not competent to stand trial.

Mohammed Reza Mesmarian, 34, was identified as the suspect who drove his vehicle through a fence at the Mega Solar Array facility in the desert northeast of Las Vegas on Jan. 4 and set the vehicle on fire, in turn disabling the facility, which is owned by Chicago-based Invenergy and serves several Las Vegas Strip properties operated by MGM Resorts International.

Mesmarian, reportedly a dentist from Colorado, was arrested later at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in southeastern Nevada and charged with six felony charges, including committing an act of terrorism, first-degree arson, third-degree arson, destroying or injuring real or personal property, and escape by a felony prisoner.

Mesmarian initially appeared in court in early January but was escorted from that hearing after he become verbally disruptive, The Associated Press reported. His lawyer, Nick Pitaro, subsequently requested that Mesmarian undergo a mental health evaluation before facing charges.

In his court appearance on Feb. 1, Pitaro told district Judge Christy Craig that two psychiatrists found his client was unable to understand the criminal charges against him.

Ultimately, Craig ruled Mesmarian incompetent to stand trial and ordered that he remain in custody at a Nevada facility where he can undergo “further treatment and restoration to competency,” the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

During Wednesday’s competency hearing, Mesmarian stood up and told the jurist “frustrate African Americans for no … with old laws” after the judge handed down her decision, according to the publication. He then sat back down beside other defendants in the courtroom before the judge explained: “It’s OK. It’s routine.”

An aerial view of the MGM Mega Solar Array facility northeast of Las Vegas on Jan. 10, 2023. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

Increasing Attacks on Solar Plants

Mesmarian’s alleged attack on the solar power plant followed a number of similar incidents at power plants in the states of Washington, Oregon, and North Carolina in recent months, some of which led to arrests.

In December, outages at two substations in Moore County were caused by what local officials say were orchestrated shootings that damaged equipment and left more than 45,000 customers without power for several days.

That incident is now being investigated by federal law enforcement who have yet to find a suspect or suspects.

Another power substation in North Carolina was damaged due to alleged gunfire earlier this month as federal officials have expressed concerns over the security of the nation’s electricity transmission network.

Mesmarian’s alleged attack on the Mega Solar Array facility caused a fire that created “major damage” and it could take at least two years for the facility to receive replacement parts, an employee of the facility told 8NewsNow.

However, no one was hurt in the fire.

Police said Mesmarian denied attempting an act of sabotage and told investigators he favors renewable, clean energy. He reportedly said he believed the solar plant was a Tesla facility connected to “the network” and that his actions “represented moving forward in the world.”

Mesmarian lived in Aurora, Colorado, according to The Associated Press, and worked as a dentist. Court records show that he filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in October, the publication reported.

Mesmarian’s lawyer could not be reached for comment.