NJ airport guard accused of threatening to shoot Obama pleads guilty to lesser charge

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NJ airport guard pleads guilty over Obama threat

NEWARK, N.J. — A New Jersey airport security guard accused of threatening to shoot President Barack Obama has pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment in a deal with prosecutors.

Linden resident John Brek originally faced felony charges of making terroristic threats and receiving stolen property. Each carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Essex County prosecutor’s office spokesman Paul Loriquet says the lesser charges carry a maximum 30-day jail sentence.

The 55-year-old Brek was arrested Oct. 20 after a Continental Airlines employee at Newark Liberty International Airport reported hearing him say he had “cut a hole in a fence to be able to shoot” Obama a day before the president traveled to New Jersey.

He pleaded guilty Friday and remains jailed pending a sentencing hearing Thursday.