3 ARRESTED IN DENVER

[Tigermike 3,425]

They need to go ahead and shoot these three.

An early report quoted cops as saying they were skeptical there was any actual plan involved. Really? They had rifles with scopes, white supremacist tattoos and jewelry, and one of them said something to police about targeting Obama.

3 arrested after alleged threats to kill Obama

DENVER – Police have arrested three people they believe are linked to a white supremacy group in connection with a threat to possibly assassinate Sen. Barack Obama during the Democratic National Convention.

NBC News has learned that federal officials are downplaying the arrests, saying when one of the men was arrested, he made a threat against Obama, but they do not believe it was based on any kind of plan or actually intent.

"It looks like one guy just made a remark trying to act important," one federal official told NBC News.

However, other sources have told 9NEWS the three men may be connected to skinheads and that it appears they were involved in an assassination plot.

Aurora Police arrested the first man, 28-year-old Tharin Gartrell of Centennial, early Sunday morning after a routine traffic stop. During the traffic stop, officers found two rifles, boxes of ammunition, one rifle scope, a bullet proof vest, walkie-talkies and methamphetamines. Gartrell is being held in the Arapahoe County jail in lieu of $50,000 bond and has a felony criminal record.

Aurora Police say a second man, 32-year-old Nathan Johnson, was arrested at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday morning at a hotel near Interstate 25 and Belleview Avenue. He is being held by Denver Police.

A third man, 33-year-old Shawn Adolf of Greeley, was arrested at Cherry Creek Hotel in Glendale on Monday. NBC News reports that when police knocked on his hotel door, Adolf jumped out a sixth floor window. He landed on an awning and then jumped down to the ground, injuring himself. He ran into nearby bushes where officers apprehended him. Authorities say he had weapons.

He was taken to Denver Health Medical Center where he was treated.

Adolf was wanted on seven outstanding warrants totally more than $1 million.

9Wants to Know has learned the Gartrell arrest led investigators to the Rockies Inn at Evans Avenue and Interstate 25 and information learned there led them to the Cherry Creek Hotel.

"We're trying to figure out what these guys had in mind," an unnamed federal official told 9NEWS.

Sources tell NBC the two men had tattoos and jewelry popular with white supremacists.

At the Rockies Inn, investigators made contact with a number of people tied to Gartrell's arrest.

9Wants to Know spoke with the manager of the Rockies Inn and she said that the police were in the inn parking lot on Sunday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and they took down car license plate numbers.

"This is a methamphetamine and firearms case that arose from a traffic stop made by an Aurora Police officer. Firearms and methamphetamine were seized, and a number of individual are in state custody. The matter continues to be under investigation," said U.S. Attorney Troy Eid.

"We're aware of the matter discussed tonight by the Aurora Police Department. Federal law enforcement is working hand-in-glove with the Aurora Police Department. Because this matter is currently under investigation, there is little we can say right now," said Eid. "We can say this: We're absolutely confident there is no credible threat to the candidate, the Democratic National Convention, or the people of Colorado."

Federal officials plan to hold a news conference on Tuesday afternoon.

Officials tell 9Wants to Know the guns, ammunition and scopes were concerning because of the hour of the arrest and the suspect's previous criminal history.

"There is no reason for someone [with a criminal record] to have rifles with scopes," said an unidentified source.

People convicted of a felony are not allowed to possess guns.

Gartrell faces charges of drug possession and possession of materials to make amphetamines.

"Federal agencies are working together to do a follow up investigation after the arrest," said the official. "There may be pending firearms charges."

Those charges will likely be federal charges.

Gartrell has numerous drug-related arrests.

In December 2006, he pleaded guilty to felony possession of a controlled substance and received a deferred sentence.

When Gartrell was pulled over, an Aurora Police sergeant spotted him driving erratically in between lanes near East Hampden Avenue and South Parker Road at 1:30 a.m. on Sunday. He was in a rented 2008 dark blue Dodge ram truck.

Gartrell was driving with a suspended driver's license and Aurora Police say he was on probation for previous drug charges.

Gartrell is a DJ at local clubs in Denver, including the Kazmos Lounge. His friends nicknamed him "Wheels" because he's always on the go. The owner of Kazmos Lounge says Gartrell is anything but a racist and says he can't believe Gartrell is being investigated as a possible white supremacist.

"He's just a total goofball. He's always smiling and making jokes, he's a big talker," said Victor Gomez, Kazmos Lounge owner. "He's not anti-black, absolutely not. He's not in any way shape or form a racist."

Adolf has a very lengthy criminal record. He was wanted on warrants for charges including theft, forgery, possession of a controlled substance, burglary.

If you have more information on this case or a tip for investigative reporter Jace Larson, e-mail him at jace.larson@9news.com.

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?sto...3&catid=188

ABC quotes other cops as saying he was in no immediate danger and notes this:

After pulling over two men for allegedly driving erratically early Sunday morning, Aurora Police said they discovered two rifles, a bulletproof vest and the drug methamphetamine in the car. When authorities questioned the men about the findings, they pointed to another member of their alleged drug ring whom they say made a threat against Obama.

[AURaptor 1,137]

Straight from the wire, a police photo of the suspects

[AUJarhead 70]

Straight from the wire, a police photo of the suspects

Hang Hitler!

[LegalEagle 22]

I predicted here months and months ago that if elected, Obama would not finish his term. It is disturbing that a place potentially as wonderful as America harbors that much hate.

There's a lot of people who contribute to hate thought. It concerns me that so many vilify the Democrats rather than acknowledge the importance of a two party system. They can agree to disagree with respect and have a much more powerful argument.

[arnaldoabru 11]

Completely uncalled for. And no, I wouldn't stand for a remark like this about Democrats either. --TitanTiger

[OldNewby 27]

It concerns me that so many vilify the Democrats rather than acknowledge the importance of a two party system. They can agree to disagree with respect and have a much more powerful argument.

I don't believe either party has a monopoly on trying to vilify the other. You realize that you can substitute the word Republicans for the word Democrats and the shoe will fit.

Have you visited http://www.dailykos.com, http://www.huffingtonpost.com, or http://www.democraticunderground.com lately? Some of the comments when Tony Snow died were unconscionable.

[Tigermike 3,425]

Official: Man wasn't a 'credible threat' to Obama

DENVER — Authorities are investigating whether a man arrested with rifles, ammunition and drugs in his truck made statements threatening Barack Obama, but emphasize he never posed a "credible threat" to the candidate or the Democratic National Convention.

Federal and local authorities had scheduled a news conference for Tuesday afternoon, but U.S. Attorney Troy Eid downplayed the case.

"We're absolutely confident there is no credible threat to the candidate, the Democratic National Convention, or the people of Colorado," Eid said in a statement.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/5966093.html

[tiger88 934]

There is no shortage of complete loons that showed up for this thing.

[LegalEagle 22]

It concerns me that so many vilify the Democrats rather than acknowledge the importance of a two party system. They can agree to disagree with respect and have a much more powerful argument.

I don't believe either party has a monopoly on trying to vilify the other. You realize that you can substitute the word Republicans for the word Democrats and the shoe will fit.

Have you visited http://www.dailykos.com, http://www.huffingtonpost.com, or http://www.democraticunderground.com lately? Some of the comments when Tony Snow died were unconscionable.

I'm sorry. I guess I am not exposed to much Democratic hate speech. I hear them called "baby killers" and such all the time. I do to to any "special web sites" where I am exposed to such. I'm limited to major media.

It is true that such speech by either side is terrible. It doesn't matter who or which group espouses it.

[OldNewby 27]

It concerns me that so many vilify the Democrats rather than acknowledge the importance of a two party system. They can agree to disagree with respect and have a much more powerful argument.

I don't believe either party has a monopoly on trying to vilify the other. You realize that you can substitute the word Republicans for the word Democrats and the shoe will fit.

Have you visited http://www.dailykos.com, http://www.huffingtonpost.com, or http://www.democraticunderground.com lately? Some of the comments when Tony Snow died were unconscionable.

I'm sorry. I guess I am not exposed to much Democratic hate speech. I hear them called "baby killers" and such all the time. I do to to any "special web sites" where I am exposed to such. I'm limited to major media.

It is true that such speech by either side is terrible. It doesn't matter who or which group espouses it.

Both major parties in this country have their share of what I refer to as pure haters. They don't plan on civil discourse.

[AUBURNJAC 53]

I don't know what all the fuss is anyway. The Anti-Christ can't be killed........

[LegalEagle 22]

Here's a recent example of what I'm talking about. I doubt this nut came up w/ hate for liberals and Democrats all by himself.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/07/28/ch...ting/index.html

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (CNN) -- A man accused of fatally shooting two adults and wounding seven others at a Knoxville church told police the church's liberal teachings prompted him to attack, according to court papers.

Jim Adkisson said liberals should be killed because they're ruining the nation, according to an affidavit.

Jim David Adkisson told investigators all liberals should be killed and admitted he shot people Sunday morning at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, according to a search warrant affidavit obtained by CNN affiliate WBIR.

Also, a four-page letter police found in Adkisson's vehicle indicated he was motivated by frustration over being unable to obtain a job, authorities said Monday.

Police said Adkisson, 58, of Powell, Tennessee, walked into the church's sanctuary during a children's musical performance and fired a shotgun before being overpowered by congregants and arrested. Adkisson -- who police said wasn't a member of the church -- has been charged with one count of first-degree murder.

According to the affidavit requesting to search Adkisson's home, the suspect told investigators liberals should be killed because they were ruining the country. Adkisson also blamed Democrats for the country's decline, according to the affidavit.

"He felt that the Democrats had tied his country's hands in the war on terror and they had ruined every institution in America with the aid of major media outlets," the affidavit said. "Because he could not get to the leaders of the liberal movement ... he would then target those that had voted them into office."

Killed in the shooting were Linda Kraeger, 61, and Greg McKendry, 60, police said. Witnesses said McKendry, an usher and board member at the church, tried to shield others when he was shot, according to The Associated Press.

[OldNewby 27]

You're correct. Satan is an equal opportunity employer.

You should check out those sites I linked earlier. You'll have to shower afterwards, but it will open your eyes to the broad world of hate. I'm sure the right has their share also. I just don't know their addresses.

[Tigermike 3,425]

It concerns me that so many vilify the Democrats rather than acknowledge the importance of a two party system. They can agree to disagree with respect and have a much more powerful argument.

I don't believe either party has a monopoly on trying to vilify the other. You realize that you can substitute the word Republicans for the word Democrats and the shoe will fit.

Have you visited http://www.dailykos.com, http://www.huffingtonpost.com, or http://www.democraticunderground.com lately? Some of the comments when Tony Snow died were unconscionable.

I'm sorry. I guess I am not exposed to much Democratic hate speech. I hear them called "baby killers" and such all the time. I do to to any "special web sites" where I am exposed to such. I'm limited to major media.

It is true that such speech by either side is terrible. It doesn't matter who or which group espouses it.

Both major parties in this country have their share of what I refer to as pure haters. They don't plan on civil discourse.

Exhibit A, your honor.

[OldNewby 27]

It concerns me that so many vilify the Democrats rather than acknowledge the importance of a two party system. They can agree to disagree with respect and have a much more powerful argument.

I don't believe either party has a monopoly on trying to vilify the other. You realize that you can substitute the word Republicans for the word Democrats and the shoe will fit.

Have you visited http://www.dailykos.com, http://www.huffingtonpost.com, or http://www.democraticunderground.com lately? Some of the comments when Tony Snow died were unconscionable.

I'm sorry. I guess I am not exposed to much Democratic hate speech. I hear them called "baby killers" and such all the time. I do to to any "special web sites" where I am exposed to such. I'm limited to major media.

It is true that such speech by either side is terrible. It doesn't matter who or which group espouses it.

Both major parties in this country have their share of what I refer to as pure haters. They don't plan on civil discourse.

Exhibit A, your honor.

Exhibit II:

Hateful nuts are everywhere. But many decided to gather in Denver this week.

[LegalEagle 22]

I agree that Dean is an idiot and a nut job. How they let him have that position, I'll never know.