WPAFB gate jumper makes plea

A Beavercreek man accused of driving through a Wright-Patterson Air Force Base gateway and entering a restricted-access building pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to trespassing.

Edward J. Novak, 32, also pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Dayton to operating a vehicle under the influence, and disorderly conduct in the presence of law enforcement in connection with the Nov. 24, 2015 incident.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Newman ordered a pre-sentencing report with the probation department prior to sentencing at a future date.

Novak refused comment after the hearing.

In exchange for his plea, charges of assault, making false alarms, inducing panic, failure to comply with a lawful order, and eluding a police officer were dropped.

Novak had been accused of driving through Gate 22B at Interstate 675 in violation of a sentry's order and entering Building 620 of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Sensors Directorate.

The incident caused an hours-long evacuation of employees, a shelter-in-place order at a nearby child care center and the closure of roads both on and off base.

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