Suspects in Obama assassination threat probe will likely face gun charges
11:38 a.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Three men who authorities feared were plotting to assassinate Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention are facing only gun charges, and officials believe they never posed a real threat.
Obama was not in Denver Sunday, when the incident occurred.
A federal law enforcement official in Denver said Tuesday the three men and woman are not expected to be charged with making threatening statements, conspiracy or other national security-related crimes.
It's possible, but unlikely, that additional charges could come later, the official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because charges have not yet been filed. U.S. Attorney Troy Eid has said the suspects posed no credible threat to Obama, the convention or others in Denver.
One of the suspects -- 28-year-old Tharin Gartrell -- was arrested in the Denver suburb of Aurora, where a detective says one of the rifles was stolen and traced to Kansas. Sherman County Sheriff Kevin Butts told KTKA that an officer with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms had talked to him Monday about one of the rifles. The rifle appears to have been stolen from 1020 W 36th St. in Goodland two years ago, according to the Goodland Star-News.
Aurora detective Marcus Dudley said a search of the car Gartrell was driving revealed two rifles, including one with a scope; a bulletproof vest; boxes of ammunition; walkie-talkies; and suspected narcotics.
One of the men arrested told KCNC-TV in a jailhouse interview that others involved in the case had made racist statements regarding Obama. When asked if he felt there was a plot to kill Obama, Nathan Johnson said, "looking back at it, I don't want to say yes, but I don't want to say no."
Johnson says he wasn't involved in any plot.
Coming soon, local, young television talent will shine on 49 News Kidcasts. Check back to see local kids, 4th through 8th grade, give the weather on TV.
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)