Man Behind Vandalized Islamic Center Cops Plea

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (CN) - A California man pleaded guilty of leading a conspiracy to deface the Islamic Center of Springfield, Mo., with graffiti along with the burning of two copies of the Quran, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.

Adam David Smock, 23, of Edgewater, Calif., formerly of Springfield, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty to charges of participating in a conspiracy to oppress, threaten and intimidate worshippers at the Islamic Center of Springfield in the free exercise and enjoyment of their religious beliefs.

Smock confessed to leading two others, one of whom was 14, to the Islamic Center on Jan. 7, 2011, where they spray-painted offensive messages in graffiti on exterior walls. The messages included, "Bash Back," "Now is our time!" and "You bash us in Pakistan we bash here."

On April 20, 2011, Smock admitted the he and the same two individuals partially burned two copies of the Quran, the Muslim holy book, and left the burned Qurans in front of the Center's main door. A co-conspirator also left a computer-printed note that day that contained the image of a goat's or ram's head, and the following text:

"To: Sincere Followers of Allah,

"Today, we show the Muslim Nation that its oppressive religion won't go without a fight, not from soldiers, but from average citizens willing to fight for America - for there are three (sic) burned Qur'ans that lay spread in the driveway. For we grow tired of Anti-Zionism. The Islamification of Europe. Terroristic regimes. And worst of all, the membership of 1.5 billion Muslims that stain the earth. And we vow one thing: Islam will not survive.

"Death to Islam!"

Smock admitted that the acts were his idea and that he chose the Islamic Center to threaten and intimidate worshipers.

The Islamic Center of Springfield provides services common to most religious establishments, including regular prayer service, a venue for individuals to pray on their own, community activities and a forum for charitable fund-raising. The total cost of the damage to the Center is $15,662.

According to the DOJ, the plea agreement's terms include a joint recommendation that Smock be incarcerated for 14 days, followed by a five-year term of supervised release; that Smock must pay $10,440 in restitution; and that Smock must perform 40 hours of community service preferably at an Islamic Center near Smock if it is willing to have his community service performed on its premises.

Smock would also meet with and personally apologize to the leadership of the Islamic Center of Springfield for his crime.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

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