2 indicted in alleged Obama plot

MEMPHIS, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Two self-described skinheads were indicted Wednesday for allegedly plotting to assassinate Barack Obama in the final days of his U.S. presidential campaign.

A federal grand jury in Memphis named Daniel Cowart, 20, of Bells, Tenn., and Paul Schlesselman, 18, of West Helena, Ark., in seven counts alleging violations of federal firearms laws and threats against a presidential candidate. Lawrence J. Laurenzi, acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, said in a news release the indictments were part of an "ongoing investigation."

Cowart and Schlesselman, who were arrested Oct. 22, allegedly conspired over the Internet for more than a month to steal firearms from a gun store in Madison County, Tenn., to support a plan for further robberies and a killing spree.

The indictment further alleges they went to two pawn shops and to a Walmart store where they bought more ammunition, rope and ski masks.

The pair are accused of making threats on more than one occasion to kill Obama at the conclusion of a spree, during which they intended to killed more than 100 people at a predominantly black school.