Man indicted for Obama threat

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 30 (UPI) -- A federal grand jury has indicted a North Carolina man on charges he twice threatened to kill Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer reported Saturday that Jerry Blanchard, 48, is accused of publicly threatening to shoot and kill the Illinois senator twice last month.

Blanchard allegedly told two diners at a restaurant July 15 he planned to kill Obama with a rifle. He allegedly made a similar threat at a Crowne Plaza Hotel July 28.

The newspaper reported Blanchard has referred to Obama as the Antichrist and said, "If he gets elected, we have a problem."

If convicted, Blanchard, of Indian Trail, N.C., faces a maximum five-year sentence and $250,000 fine.