Gun charges expected in Obama assassination plot

DENVER – Three men who authorities initially feared were plotting to assassinate Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention are facing only gun charges – signaling they never posed a real threat.

A federal law enforcement official in Denver said the three men and a woman arrested Sunday 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, speaking on condition of anonymity because the charges have not yet been filed.

One of the men was arrested near Denver with two rifles, ammunition, walkie-talkies and suspected drugs. Federal officials say two other men and a woman were apprehended a few hours later.

A news conference to discuss the charges is expected at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The likelihood of an assassination attempt on Democratic presidential candidate Obama was downplayed by law enforcement officials in Colorado and Washington.

“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.

One of the men arrested told KCNC-TV, the CBS affiliate in Denver, that others involved in the case had made racist statements regarding Obama and had discussed killing him on the day of the speech.

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 was interviewed while being held in jail on drug charges. He said he wasn’t involved in any plot.

Three senior FBI officials said it’s unclear whether any of them were serious about carrying out threats. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case.

A fourth federal official familiar with the investigation said an assassination attempt was unlikely.

“The capability and their opportunity and what they had for their weaponry – I don’t see that they would have been able to carry it out,” the official said on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.