(KNSI) — One of two people charged with breaking into the Islamic Center in St. Cloud and vandalizing the property was sentenced to house arrest, community service, and probation in Stearns County District Court.
According to the criminal complaint, an employee arrived at the Islamic Center just before 4:00 a.m. September 8th, 2022, and noticed the front window was broken and discovered beer cans and cigarette butts lying around, plus other damage, including slashed furniture and damaged ceiling tiles. Police arrived and found a key card for a local hotel where 26-year-old Victoria Veliz and 24-year-old Logan Smith were staying.
Inside their room, investigators said they found marijuana, two copies of the Koran, and three cassette tapes with what is believed to be Arabic writing on them.
In a sworn statement, Veliz told police she and Smith went out at night to explore, thinking it would be funny. She said they saw a “scary church” and decided to go inside, but she couldn’t remember how they got in or what they did.
The two both pleaded guilty to second degree burglary charges in February.
In June, Smith was sentenced to 180 days in jail.
___
Copyright 2023 Leighton Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be broadcast, published, redistributed, or rewritten, in any way without consent.
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!