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Jacob Beacher, 24, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Oct. 9 to damage to religious property, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release.
According to court documents and statements, Beacher broke into the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) at around 2:41 a.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 10. That day was Eid-al-Fitr, a holy celebration for Muslims at the end of Ramadan.
Prosecutors said Beacher caused more than $5,000 in destruction.
"The free exercise of religion is a fundamental right of all Americans," Sellinger said. "Jacob Beacher admitted he intentionally broke into the Center for Islamic Life during the holy Eid-al-Fitr holiday and damaged and destroyed religious artifacts because of the Islamic faith of those associated with the facility.
"This office will not tolerate the use of force or threats to intimidate people and put them in fear of worshipping as they see fit.”
According to an FBI complaint, Beacher was seen on surveillance video breaking a glass pane on the back door to enter the CILRU.
Investigators said Beacher damaged religious artifacts in the center like items containing words from the Qur'an and Turbah prayer stones, which are clay surfaces that Muslims lay on during prayers. Beacher also stole a charity donation box and a Palestinian flag.
Beacher left through the back door and walked around a nearby student center before riding his bicycle toward Buccleuch Park. Two people found the donation box on the park's east side where authorities later tracked his cellphone.
The CILRU posted photos of the damage on Instagram on the same day of the vandalism. The pictures showed broken glass and ceramic items throughout the College Avenue building.
The center addressed Beacher's arrest in a news release on Apr. 22.
"This act of terror will not intimidate or break our community," CILRU said. "We stand in firm faith and with resolve to redouble our efforts to the mission of our center. This incident did not occur in a vacuum. We condemn those that are stoking lies and hate on our campus and those who are engaging in doublespeak that have led to this violence, other acts of hate and bigotry on our campus and in particular against our students."
Concerns about Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian rhetoric have spread at college campuses nationwide since the start of the Israel-Hamas War. Some Rutgers protestors have called on the university to divest from Israeli business interests and its partnership with Tel Aviv University due to Israel's continued attacks in Gaza.
Outgoing Rutgers president Jonathan Holloway testified before Congress in May in a House committee hearing about universities' responses to pro-Palestine campus protests. Student groups like Students for Justice in Palestine have been punished or suspended amid accusations of vandalism and what some considered antisemitic speech.
Beacher faces up to three years in prison. He could also be fined up to $250,000 "or twice the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest."
Sentencing was scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025.
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