Arrests made in possible plot against Obama

DENVER -- The Secret Service, FBI and other law enforcement agencies were investigating a possible assassination plot against Barack Obama by white supremacists, and at least three people were in custody, sources confirmed Monday.

Denver's CBS television affiliate reported that those arrested were connected to a potential attempt to kill Obama at Invesco Field, the open-air stadium where the nominee is to deliver his acceptance speech Thursday.

"It's premature to say that it was a valid threat or that these folks have the ability to carry it out," a U.S. government official familiar with the investigation told the Associated Press.

But Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin late Monday said he was concerned about the emerging developments.

''The security detail says it is serious,'' Durbin said. ''There are firearms involved, and that's all I know.''

Law enforcement sources in Chicago and suburban Denver confirmed that those arrested were being investigated for possible ties to a white supremacist organization.

Arrested Sunday were Nathan Johnson, 32; Tharin Gartrell, 28; and Shawn Robert Adolf, 33.

Two rifles were recovered from Gartrell, and one of them appeared to be stolen, according to police in Aurora, Colo.

The Denver television station quoted a law enforcement source as saying one of the individuals told them of a plan "to shoot Obama from a high vantage point using a ... rifle . . . sighted at 750 yards."

Gartrell was apprehended during a routine traffic stop in Aurora and was found to have rifle scopes in his vehicle. He led authorities to a second man, who had an outstanding arrest warrant.

That man, later identified as Shawn Robert Adolf, jumped out of a sixth-floor hotel window after Gartrell led police to the room, creating a clatter that awoke patrons early Sunday morning. The Glendale, Colo., hotel houses staff of the Sun-Times covering the convention. A hotel spokesman referred questions to the Secret Service.

Adolf broke his ankle and was apprehended by police nearby, Glendale Police Chief Victor Ross told the Sun-Times.

"He has all the markings and things to indicate he's a white supremacist," Ross said, noting tattoos possibly linked to the Aryan Nation.

Sarah E. Williamson, of Greeley, Colo. -- listed in a 2005 bankruptcy filing as the wife of Adolf -- said she had not seen him for "a while" but seemed stunned by his apparent involvement.

"This is absolutely insane. I am completely dumbfounded. He has no political convictions at all. I doubt he knew the Democratic convention was being held here. This would not be like him to want to kill anybody. I don't think he would even know who Barack Obama is."

The U.S. attorney's office in Denver is expected to hold a news conference today.

Contributing: Lynn Sweet, Abdon Pallasch and SouthtownStar reporters Lauren FitzPatrick and John Byrne