U.S. attorney 'confident' Obama not threatened

By John C. Ensslin, Judi Villa, April M. Washington

Originally published 05:15 p.m., August 25, 2008
Updated 06:57 a.m., August 26, 2008

AURORA — The U.S. Attorney for Colorado said authorities are "absolutely confident" three men arrested on weapons and drug charges posed no threat to presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Aurora Police held a news conference Monday to announce the arrests and said that during their investigation officers seized a bullet-proof vest, two rifles — one of which was stolen; another had a hunting scope — plus ammunition, drugs and walkie-talkies.

"We're aware of the matter discussed tonight by the Aurora Police Department," said Colorado U.S. Attorney Troy Eid in a statement late Monday night. "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.

"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."

Earlier Monday, CBS4 News reported that at least three people had been arrested in connection with a possible plot to kill Obama at his Thursday night acceptance speech at Invesco Field at Mile High.

Aurora police had arrested a suspected drunken driver at 1:30 a.m. Sunday during a routine traffic stop. The man was seen "weaving," sources said.

Aurora police seized weapons and drugs, which included methamphetamine, from the suspect's rental pickup.

Detective Marcus Dudley, a police spokesman, told reporters gathered in a parking lot behind the police station Monday that he could not discuss the "federal implications" of the case. However, he did confirm that federal authorities were involved in arresting two of the men.

"Clearly, we feel there are federal implications. Beyond that I can't elaborate," he said.

He said the U.S. Attorney for Colorado will hold a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

CBS4 had reported one of the suspects told authorities that they were "going to shoot Obama from a high vantage point using a ... rifle … sighted at 750 yards."

Law-enforcement sources told CBS4 that one of the suspects "was directly asked if they had come to Denver to kill Obama. He responded in the affirmative."

A second source told CBS4 News that they are concerned they may have come upon a possible "assasination plot."

Dudley identified the three suspects as:

* Tharin Robert Gartrell, 28, who was carrying a Colorado identification card that listed a Centennial address. Gartrell was erratically driving a rented 2008 blue Dodge Ram truck that was not registered in his name. The guns, ammo, drugs and other equipment were found in the truck.

* Nathan Johnson, 32. About three hours after Gartrell's arrest, police from Aurora, Denver and Greenwood Village, and federal agents arrested Johnson at a hotel near Interstate 25 and Belleview Avenue. He is being held on drug charges in Denver. His bond amount was not available.

* Shawn Robert Adolf, 33. Police and federal agents arrested Adolf at the Cherry Creek Hotel at 600 South Colorado Boulevard in Glendale around 5 a.m. Sunday after he jumped from a sixth-floor window. Adolf was injured when he fell four stories onto the second-floor roof of the hotel kitchen. He then jumped again onto the ground around the hotel, where police caught him a short time later. Johnson was hospitalized with unspecified injuries from his fall. He is being held on 7 outstanding warrants with bonds totaling $1 million.

The Secret Service, ATF, FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office are investigating.

Brian Maass of CBS4 News contributed to this report.

© Rocky Mountain News