Man pleads guilty to defacing Islamic Center in Springfield

A man pleaded guilty Tuesday to violating the civil rights of others by defacing the Islamic Center of Springfield with graffiti and for burning two copies of the Qur'an, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

Adam David Smock, 23, of Edgewater, California, formerly of Springfield, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to oppress, threaten and intimidate worshipers at the Islamic Center of Springfield in the free exercise of their constitutional right, according to the release.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, a recommendation will be made to the court that Smock be incarcerated for 14 days, followed by a five-year term of supervised release. The recommendation will also state that Smock must pay $10,440 in restitution and perform 40 hours of community service — ideally at an Islamic Center. He will also have to meet with and apologize to the leadership of the Islamic Center of Springfield, according to the release.

The Islamic Center of Springfield, located at 2151 E. Division St., provides services common to most religious establishments like regular prayer services, community activities and a forum for fundraising, according to the release.

Smock admitted Tuesday that on Jan. 7, 2011 he and two others spray-painted graffiti on the outside walls of the Islamic Center of Springfield, the release says.

The graffiti said things like "Bash back," "Now is our time!" and "You bash us in Pakistan we bash here."

Smock also admitted that in April 2011 he and the same co-conspirators burned two copies of the Qur'an and left them in front of the main doors to the Islamic Center of Springfield, the release says.

The release says one of Smock's co-conspirators left a note in front of the main doors with a picture of a 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 said it was his idea to commit the acts and he persuaded the other two individuals to participate, the release says. Smock said his goal was to threaten and intimidate worshipers, according to the release.

The total cost of the damage to the Islamic Center of Springfield was more than $15,000, the release says.

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