Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime for Vandalising Islamic Student Centre
A 24-year-old man, Jacob Beacher, has pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime after vandalising the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University in New Jersey during the Eid al-Fitr holiday in April. The US Department of Justice revealed that Beacher broke into the centre, damaged religious artefacts, stole a Palestinian flag, and a charity box.
Surveillance footage captured Beacher entering the centre at 2:30am on April 10 through the back door. He was later arrested on April 22 and charged with obstruction of religious practice and making false statements to federal authorities. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasised that hate crimes have no place in society, especially when targeting religious observance.
Rights groups have noted an increase in threats and violence against Muslims, Arabs, and Jews, particularly since the conflict in Gaza started in response to Hamas’s attacks on Israel. Beacher could face up to three years in prison for his actions.