John Brek Arrested: Newark Security Guard Accused Of Making Terrorist Threats Against Obama

NEWARK, N.J. — A private security guard at Newark Liberty International Airport was arrested on charges of threatening Barack Obama the night before the president was to fly there.

A Continental Airlines employee reported overhearing John Brek make threatening comments at an airport coffee cart Tuesday afternoon.

The 55-year-old security guard was arrested several hours later, Port Authority spokesman John Kelly said. He denied making the threats, said Malcolm Wiley, a spokesman for the U.S. Secret Service.

Obama came to New Jersey on Wednesday to campaign for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine.

Brek allowed police to search his Linden home and officers found 43 firearms, Kelly said. The firearms were still being processed, but no illegal guns had been found.

A message left by The Associated Press at Brek's home Wednesday was not immediately returned. His father, John, told The Star-Ledger of Newark that his son has the guns because he's an avid hunter.

Air Force One landed at the Newark airport shortly before 5 p.m. under tight security. Dozens of Secret Service and Port Authority police officers were visible, and sharpshooters were positioned on roofs of nearby buildings.

"We take every threat very seriously," Wiley said. "We don't have the luxury of ignoring even the allegation of a threat."

Brek is employed by Floral Park, N.Y.-based FJC Security Services Inc., which has a contract with the Port Authority. Its employees screen airport workers to ensure they have proper credentials, Kelly said.

Brek was arrested by Port Authority Police and charged under state law with making terroristic threats against the president. He has not been arrested on federal charges, Wiley said.

Bail has been set at $100,000 for Brek, who faces five years in prison for the third-degree felony charge, according to Essex County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Paul Loriquet. He said Brek is being held in the Essex County jail and is to be arraigned Thursday.

Patrick J. Conroy, executive vice president of FJC, said the company is working with authorities investigating the alleged threat. Brek has been assigned to the Newark airport for the majority of his six years with the company, Conroy said.

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Associated Press writers Beth DeFalco in Trenton and Philip Elliott in Washington and AP researcher Judith Ausuebel in New York City contributed to this report.

Comments

[Bill of Rights Believer]

I have known this man personally for 30+ years. He has collected guns for most of his life. They are ALL legally registered. He purchases through dealers. Last time I checked, the Constitution allowed us the right to bear arms, there is no constitutional limit on how many. John loves to hunt, which is also legal and has alway been fully licensed. Problem is, he rarely shoots anything because he refuses to wear his glasses and can't see what he is aiming at. Talk about the one that got away? How about the one you never saw. This man may have said something stupid as a passing joke or comment (which is still to be determined), but there is no way in hell anyone who knows him could take it seriously. For those who don't know him, it is a shame that we have lost our Freedom of Speach to political correctness. This is about the Port Authority trying to make a case from hearsay. What a shame that John voluntarily cooperated with the police, gave them permission to search his house without a warrant and actually told them about his gun collection. What a shame that there are so many of you who rush to judgment. Those of you who immediately condemn him undermine the Constitution and the freedoms granted therein. John may not love Obama but I would defend his right to say it, regardless of how it is said. BTW...I am a democrat.

[gallon]

Thats all fine. But if your friend has threatened the President of the US, surely you understand that the SS is going to review the situation, especially the guns. Yes?

[sushi27]

He can (and probably did) say any derogatory thing he wants about the POTUS, but you CANNOT threaten his life - duh, what rock do you live under. Nothing to do with political correctness - you carry a gun, you have secure access to airport and you threaten the POTUS's life, you get arrested.

[panamarine]

Bill of Rights Beleiver:

Freedom of speech in this case is a case where its justified to detain until certain the threat was not idle. Imagine if everyone goes around threatening to Kill the President and someone DOES. Then what? I f someone said that they were going to F and then Kl your mother. Would you take it lightly? Then it happens...then what? That person had the freedom of speech to say that...you didn't like it, but then he did what he said he would. Note: In this charged climate, he was a fool to say s___t like that. Not a very bright guy. Maybe a little sick in the head too.

[jsgaetano]

Anyone want to bet none of his guns were registered?

[NickCatal]

The article says they are all legal.

[Lee Andrew]

excerpt from article:

Air Force One landed at the Newark airport shortly before 5 p.m. under tight security. Dozens of Secret Service and Port Authority police officers were visible, and sharpshooters were positioned on roofs of nearby buildings.

"We take every threat very seriously," Wiley said. "We don't have the luxury of ignoring even the allegation of a threat."

I am pleased to know that the guys are proactive -- letthis be a lessonn to others as well.

Now we all ought to petition congress to give the US Secret Service all the funding and tools thatthey need, unconditionally.

One down and 20% to go. The threat remains and we must remain viligant.

LeeAndrew

[hn333]

I hope he gets raped.

[Dianedp]

I don't. I hope he stays in jail for a very long time, though, and his right to own firearms taken away.

[elemental775]

Once this guy goes to prison he will be known as the new "Brek" girl.

[jsgaetano]

That should make mAnn Coulter very happy.

[CR46]

I called Rep Gregg Harper (R) Mississippi , the US rep that talked about hunting down liberals and surprise, surprise his office had "no comment" on this arrest.
These are the whackos that the GOP's statements are feeding, they need to be held responsible for inciting violence!

Harpers washington office 1 [phone]

[CrazedSurfer]

Men like stuff. Me, I have 10 surfboards, maybe you got 10 fishing rods. But hey 43 of anything, that's just too much stuff. Reminds of a George Carlin skit.

[TheBritisher]

Isn't 43 guns, one for each President, I realise Obama's 44th but Grover Cleveland had non-consecutive terms. Or maybe his maths is bad.

[Rasalom]

43 guns and not a single brain cell.

[liberalNmoderation]

Wow....
I guess he figured that no one cares if someone makes death threats to the POTUSA.

[CR46]

I guess when GOP Rep Harper(R) Mississippi and his friends do it and get away with, he probably did.

[jsgaetano]

Sounds like another Gooper who goes around believing the law doesn't apply to him.

[MerhabaAbi]

John Brekd's reputation is shot. It would suck if the accuser just wanted to get at him for a personal reason. If he did make the threat, 5 years sounds about right.

[Reefdancer]

I hope this dude gets it in the shower room at the Essex jail.

[KitChandler]

The Repubs, coupled with Fox News continue to stoke the hate fires. Focusing on the many pressing issues knowing that so many of Americans want to kill you must be quite disconcerting. Forty-three guns-are you kidding?

[AwShucks]

Really makes you wonder what he's hunting, doesn't it ?

[avvocato]

Clinging to his guns and religion!

[realpolitic]

Yes, these threats are serious and are not jokes. If one makes such threats, he may be very close to following through on them. I am really glad the secret service is on the job!

[CR46]

And lets not to forget to thank the airline employee that originally reported him, we owe that american a debt of gratitude.

[gregrocker]

Let's hope Continental doesn't punish the employee for possibly saving the President's life

[ilse]

Anyone who threatens the president should be put in prison for several years. There he was bragging to others about threatening our president and someone who overheard him reported him. Whoever it was, thank you!

[jsgaetano]

If anything, the people who didn't report him should be on a watch list.