Druggies Accused of Plotting Obama Assassination

(Denver, Colorado) Four people were arrested yesterday in Aurora, CO, on methamphetamine and weapons charges and they are suspected of plotting to kill candidate Barack Obama. They have been identified as Nathan Johnson, 32, Tharin Robert Gartrell, 28, Shawn Robert Adolph, 33, and Natasha Gromek (Johnson's girlfriend).

The assassination plot reportedly would involve shooting Obama on Thursday during his acceptance speech using a high-powered rifle sighted at 750 yards. Ambitious, don't you think?


Nathan Johnson and Tharin Gartrell
The story starts with the arrest of Gartrell during a traffic stop where a search found methamphetamine, scoped rifles, camo clothing, bulletproof vests, wigs, walkie-talkies and licenses in the names of other people. With heightened security in the area, federal authorities were alerted.

Subsequently authorities went to the Cherry Creek Hotel to contact an associate of Gartrell's. But that man, identified as Shawn Robert Adolph, 33, who was wanted on numerous warrants, jumped out of a sixth floor hotel window. Law enforcement sources say Adolph broke an ankle in the fall and was captured moments later. Sources say he had a handcuff ring and was wearing a swastika, and is thought to have ties to white supremacist organizations.

A third man -- an associate of Gartrell and Adolph, Nathan Johnson, 32, was also arrested. He told authorities that the two men "planned to kill Barack Obama at his acceptance speech."

Johnson, along with his girlfriend, Natasha Gromek, are also under arrest on drug charges.

The Secret Service, FBI, ATF and the joint terrorism task force are all investigating the alleged plot.

Authorities indicate that the suspects may have ties to an outlaw biker gang called the Sons of Silence and to white supremacists. However, rather than an assassination plot, an FBI spokesman said, “It could also turn out that these were nothing but a bunch of knuckleheads, meth heads."

Gartrell was booked into custody at the Arapahoe County Jail on $50,000 bail. While detained, it's unknown where the other three are being held. Pics of Adolph and Gromek haven't been published yet.

Although the group is not considered a credible threat to Obama or the convention, federal agencies and state and local police continue to investigate. A news conference is scheduled for this afternoon.

Also: The Jawa Report