ROCKINGHAM — A man listed as a probation absconder is accused of breaking into a church.
According to a magistrate’s order, 28-year-old Jacob Tray McKenzie allegedly broke into the Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día Hispana de Rockingham (Rockingham Seventh Day Adventist Church) across the street from his home during the early morning hours of July 30.
McKenzie was arrested by a deputy with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and charged with one felony count of breaking and entering a place of worship. He was booked into the Richmond County Jail at 5:44 a.m., where he is being held without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 14.
McKenzie is currently awaiting trial for allegedly stealing a Honda Accord that was left disabled on Battely Dairy Road and selling it to a nearby scrap yard in January.
This isn’t his first time reportedly breaking into a church, according to records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction.
McKenzie was convicted in 2014 of breaking and entering a place of worship, as well as assault with a deadly weapon.
He was most recently convicted in 2024 of obtaining property by false pretenses and common law forgery. Court records show both cases invovled a plea deal with other charges being dismissed.
NCDAC has McKenzie listed as a probation absconder.
Other prior convictions include:
2016 - felonious restraint, crime against nature
2019 - misdemeanor larceny (four counts); resisting a public officer, violation for having a controlled substance in a penal institution (probation revoked, served seven months, followed by eight-month post-release revocation)
2023 - misdemeanor larceny, carrying a concealed weapon
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
