PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WWSB) – The federal trial for a Punta Gorda man charged in connection with a fire at the Chabad of Charlotte County synagogue has been rescheduled.
A federal court notice entered May 12 shows Blake Richard Hoover’s jury trial, previously set for June 1, is now set for the Aug. 3, 2026, trial term in Fort Myers. A status conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. July 13 by Zoom before U.S. District Judge Kyle C. Dudek.
Hoover, 31, is charged federally with arson. A federal criminal complaint says the charge falls under 18 U.S.C. § 844(i), which applies to maliciously damaging or attempting to damage certain buildings by fire…