Newark Security Guard Arrested For Threats Against Obama

A private security guard at Newark Airport was arrested for making threats against President Barack Obama the night before Obama was to land there. A Continental Airlines employee had reported overhearing John Brek, 55, make threatening comments at an airport coffee cart Tuesday afternoon.

Hours later, Brek was arrested. Obama came to New Jersey on Wednesday to campaign for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine. 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, and denied making the threats.

Brek allowed police to search his home, where they found 43 firearms. While still being processed, no illegal guns have been found as yet.

Bail has been set at $100,000 for Brek. He faces up to five years in prison for the state charge, which is a third-degree felony. Malcolm Wiley, a spokesman for the U.S. Secret Service, said:

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