By Associated Press - Monday, December 11, 2017

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A man has pleaded guilty to using interstate communications to threaten students at a Las Cruces elementary school.

Prosecutors say 24-year-old Michael Anthony Estrada, of Las Cruces, entered his plea Monday in federal court.

Estrada was arrested on a criminal complaint on Sept. 15.



He was accused of posting online threats that he allegedly planned to shoot children at a school.

The threats led authorities in Las Cruces to put the elementary school on lockdown until Estrada was arrested.

Prosecutors say Estrada faces a sentence of up to five years in federal prison.

He remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

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