Man accused of bringing weapons to school pleads guilty

A Delaware man accused of bringing a loaded gun and ammunition to a New Jersey elementary school pleaded guilty Monday to a weapons charge.

Thomas Wilkie, 46, of Bear, admitted he did not have a permit in New Jersey to possess a handgun police found on him, although he did have a permit for the weapon in his home state. He pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon as part of a deal with Union County prosecutors, who dismissed other charges against him.

Wilkie faces up to 10 years in state prison when he's sentenced Feb. 21.

He was charged after Westfield police responded last June to a report from police in New Castle County in Delaware, who said a potentially armed Wilkie was headed to the Tamaques school.

Classes had already ended by the time police found Wilkie, but the school was locked down as a precaution. During Monday's court hearing, Wilkie said he had no intention of entering the school with the gun.

Authorities have not said why Wilkie drove to the school.