US man pleads guilty to trashing Islamic centre at New Jersey university

After breaking into a university in the state of New Jersey, a man from the United States admitted guilt to a federal hate crime.

The US Department of Justice reported on Thursday that Jacob Beacher, 24, broke into Rutgers University’s Center for Islamic Life during the Eid al-Fitr holiday in April and damaged several religious objects there.

A Palestinian flag and a charity box were also taken from the center by Beacher, according to the DOJ.

According to court documents, Beacher approached the facility shortly after 2:30 am on April 10 when an intruder later discovered him and forced him to enter through the back door.

On April 22, Beacher was detained and charged with making false statements to federal authorities and one count of intentionally or attempting to obstruct religious practice.

In today’s society, “Islamophobic hate crimes have no place.” According to Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, we will continue to enforce the laws that protect people of all faiths while performing religious observance, including at educational institutions.

Beacher’s maximum sentence is three years in prison.