NEWARK, N.J. – A Somerset County man pleaded guilty to committing a federal hate crime by vandalizing a religious center at Rutgers University during the Eid-al-Fitr holiday, federal authorities announced Wednesday.
Jacob Beacher, 24, of North Plainfield, admitted in Trenton federal court to breaking into the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) on April 10 and causing more than $5,000 in damage to religious artifacts, including Turbah prayer stones and items containing sacred texts from the Qur’an. Beacher also stole a Palestinian flag and a charity box from the center.
“The free exercise of religion is a fundamental right of all Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. “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.”
Federal authorities characterized the act as an Islamophobic crime intended to interfere with the religious freedoms of students and staff. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke noted that the Justice Department remains committed to prosecuting such offenses, adding, “Islamophobic hate crimes have no place in our society today.”
Beacher’s guilty plea came as part of an agreement with federal prosecutors, who charged him with damage to religious property, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch scheduled sentencing for Feb. 11, 2025.
The FBI, which assisted in the investigation, said the arrest came swiftly after the vandalism was reported. “Within days, we tracked down and arrested Beacher,” said Nelson I. Delgado, FBI Newark’s Acting Special Agent in Charge. “We want our actions and the speed with which we responded to illustrate our commitment and resolve to protect houses of worship in New Jersey.”
