JACKSON, Tenn., April 15 (UPI) -- A man convicted of plotting to kill then-U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama and dozens of other black men was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison.
Paul Schlesselman of West Helena, Ark., who pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Tennessee in January, is to serve another five years under supervised release once he finishes his prison term, the U.S. Justice Department said in a release.
"Our nation has made great progress in advancing civil rights, but this unthinkable conspiracy is a reminder that hate-fueled violence continues to be a very real problem in so many communities," said Thomas E. Perez, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.
Perez said tragedy was averted thanks to the combined efforts of local and federal law enforcement agencies.
Another defendant, Daniel Cowart, 21, of Bells, Tenn., has pleaded guilty in the case and is to be sentenced July 8.
Cowart and Schlesselman have been jailed since being arrested Oct. 22, 2008. Authorities said the two planned a multistate robbery and killing spree that was to culminate with them killing Obama, who was elected president that November.
