News
2008-08-27
Obama
Assassination Accusation Downgraded to Gun Charge
Three men
originally feared to be plotting an assassination attempt on
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama at the
Three men
originally feared to be plotting an assassination attempt on
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama at the
Democratic National Convention in Denver will now face
only gun charges, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Federal law
enforcement officials in Denver said the men never posed a
real threat to the senator. Official charges have yet to be
filed, according to an officer speaking on condition
of anonymity to the Associated Press. Police said it
is possible but unlikely that later charges will be
filed.
"We're absolutely
confident there is no credible threat to the
candidate, the Democratic National Convention, or the people
of Colorado," U.S. attorney Troy Eid said in a
statement to the press.
Tharin Gartrell,
28, was arrested Sunday near Denver in possession
of two rifles, ammunition, walkie-talkies, and suspected
illegal drugs. Two other men and a woman were arrested
nearby a few hours later.
According to FBI
spokeswoman Kathy Wright, the bureau had been
investigating reports that Gartrell had threatened
Obama’s life. Police pulled Gartrell’s
truck over Sunday as he was weaving across
traffic, according to National Public Radio.
Gartrell then led
police to a nearby hotel where federal agents arrested
Nathan Johnson, 32, and Shawn Robert Adolf, 33, on
drug charges. Federal agents also arrested a woman,
described as the girlfriend of one of the men.
When asked if
there had been a plot to kill Obama, Johnson replied,
"Looking back at it, I don't want to say yes, but I don't
want to say no." Johnson added that he was not
involved in the plot.
Law enforcement
officials are continuing to investigate whether the men
were involved in a string of vandalism shootings targeting
two federal buildings in Denver over the past two
weeks. (The Advocate)
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