Austin homeless man credited with time served after 240-day jail sentence

AUSTIN, Texas - New details have been released about a homeless man accused of terrorizing a South Austin neighborhood for years with a chainsaw and a sledgehammer.

According to court documents, Rami Zawaideh has been credited with time served after being sentenced to 240 days in jail in December.

Zawaideh faced felony charges that were eventually dismissed by prosecutors.

Last year, he was ordered to complete mental health treatment at a hospital in North Austin.

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In September, he pleaded no contest to escaping police custody in April.

Zawaideh was sentenced to 240 days in jail in December, but court paperwork showed a judge gave him full credit for time served in the fall.

Who is Rami Zawaideh?

Rami Zawaideh is accused of terrorizing a South Austin neighborhood for years.

People in the Westgate neighborhood have reported seeing Zawaideh building sculptures, taking a sledgehammer to city property, cutting down trees in the Greenbelt, and screaming at all hours of the night.

Back in April 2024, city officials confirmed Zawaideh was getting mental health services. However, court records revealed how he was able to get away and avoid the help community members said he needed.

Zawaideh was booked into the Travis County Jail on Sept. 12, on charges related to escaping custody and multiple city ordinance violations.