Man charged with causing extensive damage to religious artifacts at New Jersey university’s Center for Islamic Life.
A man from New Jersey, identified as Jacob Beacher, has pleaded guilty to committing a federal hate crime for breaking into an Islamic student center at Rutgers University earlier this year. The incident, which occurred during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, involved Beacher vandalizing religious artifacts and stealing a Palestinian flag. Beacher, who is not affiliated with Rutgers, faces up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He is set to be sentenced in February.
The Assistant Attorney General leading the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice, Kristen Clarke, stated that Beacher was being held accountable for committing Islamophobic-fueled acts of hate and interfering with the religious freedom of Rutgers students and staff members. She emphasized that hate crimes have no place in society and highlighted the commitment to protecting houses of worship in New Jersey.
The guilty plea was entered before District Judge Robert Kirsch in Trenton federal court. The incident occurred amidst protests over the conflict between Hamas and Israel, leading to an increase in anti-Muslim and antisemitic hate crimes and hate speech. Beacher was captured on security camera footage breaking into the center, damaging religious objects, and stealing a charity box. Initially estimated at $40,000, the damage caused by Beacher was later revised to approximately $19,000.
The incident reflects the importance of addressing and condemning hate crimes, particularly those targeting religious institutions. Authorities are committed to swiftly responding to such incidents to protect the rights and safety of individuals and communities.
Source: The NY Times
