ATF arrests two neo-Nazi's in plot to assassinate Barack Obama

Two Men Charged in Federal Court for Violating Federal Firearms Laws and Making Threats Against a Presidential Candidate

Daniel Cowart, 20, of Bells, Tennessee and Paul Schlesselman, 18, of West Helena, Arkansas were charged in a federal Criminal Complaint on Friday with plotting to assassinate presidential candidate Barack Obama.

The men were charged with the illegal Possession of a Sawed off Shotgun, Conspiracy to Rob a Federal Firearms Licensee and Making Threats Against a Major Candidate for the Office of President.                                  

"The allegations set forth in this Criminal Complaint are serious and will be treated as such," said Lawrence J. Laurenzi, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. "The public can rest assured that federal, state, and local law enforcement are diligently working together to investigate and prosecute the alleged activity."

According to the Complaint, approximately one month ago, Cowart and Schlesselman met on the internet. The said they believed in white power and the Skinhead philosophy. According to police, Cowart and Schlesselman began discussing going on a "killing spree," they also discussed robbing a gun shop.

On October 20, Cowart allegedly traveled from Tennessee to Arkansas to pick up Schlesselman in order to carry out their plan. The Complaint states that at this time, the men further discussed their killing spree to include targeting a predominately African American School and to continue their spree until their final act of violence which would be to attempt to assassinate Presidential Candidate Barack Obama.  

The men stated they would be willing to die during the attempted assassination.