Colorado man pleads guilty to damaging solar panels tied to MGM casino
The man who drove through a fence surrounding a solar power system and started a fire pleaded guilty in a Las Vegas courtroom last week.
Mohammed Mesmarian, 35, a former dentist from Colorado, pleaded guilty to two reduced charges: second-degree arson and malicious intent, Las Vegas television station KLAS reported Crime of property destruction.
Mesmarian was originally charged with committing an act of terrorism, arson, damaging or injuring another person's real or personal property, and being a felon in prison in connection with the Jan. 3 incident.
Mesmarian, who claims he suffers from an emotional illness, is expected to be sentenced on Dec. 18 and may receive jail time or probation, KLAS reported. The judge can also order him to receive treatment for mental health issues.
Emotional illness
Mesmarian was deemed "emotionally unfit" to stand trial by Clark County District Court Judge Christy Craig earlier this year, the Associated Press reported. He was taken to a forensic psychiatric hospital in Nevada. Mesmarian was examined by at least two psychiatrists before the judge handed down his sentence.
Mesmarian’s actions damaged the facility’s transformers and other infrastructure. The power was out for several weeks until repairs were completed. In the event of a power outage, MGM Resorts hotels can rely on the grid to find alternative energy sources.
Mesmarian was arrested on Jan. 5 at a campground at Boulder Beach on Lake Mead. In a statement to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officials, Mesmarian denied committing the vandalism.
Later, when he appeared in court for the first time, Mesmarian exclaimed: "A lot has gone wrong with the whole system since I've been here. Nothing has gone right." Just a bunch of black guys stuck in a room together. "
Intricate details
The complex where the incident occurred is a giant solar array facility located on Route 93 just north of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The facility is located in the desert about 25 miles from Las Vegas.
Chicago-based Invenergy operates the facility and provides power to 13 MGM Resorts hotels.
The MGM Resorts Mega Array project is a key component of the gaming company’s long-term climate strategy and is the largest gaming industry renewable energy facility in the world. It captures 100 megawatts of power through 336K panels installed on 640 acres of land.
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Source: www.casino.org
