October 27, 2008 | 5:27 pm

ATF disrupts skinhead plot to assassinate Obama *

Posted by Brad A. Greenberg

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This news alert came across the AP wire four minutes ago:

WASHINGTON (AP) — The ATF says it has broken up a plot to assassinate Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and shoot or decapitate 102 black people in a Tennessee murder spree. In court records unsealed Monday, agents said they disrupted plans to rob a gun store and target an unnamed but predominantly African-American high school by two neo-Nazi skinheads.

More to come. Previously in London a black man was shot in the face for wearing an t-shirt with Barack Obama’s mug on it. Scary how backwards many people still behave.

*Updated: More info from The Washington Times:

Jim Cavanaugh, special agent in charge of the Nashville field office for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said the two men planned to shoot 88 black people and decapitate another 14. The numbers 88 and 14 are symbolic in the white supremacist community.

The men also sought to go on a national killing spree, with Obama as its final target, Cavanaugh told The Associated Press.

“They said that would be their last, final act _ that they would attempt to kill Sen. Obama,” Cavanaugh said. “They didn’t believe they would be able to do it, but that they would get killed trying.”

And more from WBTV:

According to the Complaint, approximately one month ago, Cowart and Schlesselman met via the internet through a mutual friend and both claim to have very strong beliefs regarding “White Power” and “Skinhead” philosophy.  Cowart and Schlesselman began discussing going on a “killing spree”.  The Complaint further alleges that Cowart and Schlesselman discussed robbing a gun shop (Federal Firearms Licensee) in order to gather weapons and ammunition.  The Complaint notes the defendants were in possession of a sawed off shotgun.

On October 20, 2008, Cowart allegedly traveled from Tennessee to Arkansas to pick up Schlesselman in order to carry out their plan.  The Complaint states that at this time, the defendants further discussed their killing spree to include targeting a predominately African American School and to continue their spree until their final act of violence which would be to attempt to assassinate Presidential Candidate Barack Obama.  “The United States Secret Service takes all threats against Presidential Candidates seriously and is actively investigating the allegations,” said Richard Harlow, Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service-Memphis Field Office.  “The Secret Service does not comment on this type of investigation.”

The Complaint further notes that the defendants stated that they would be willing to die during this attempt.  According to the Complaint, after soliciting a friend, to drive their car, between 11:00pm on October 21, 2008 and 2:00am on October 22, 2008,  the defendants made plans to rob a house but were diverted when they arrived and observed a dog and two cars at the location.  Cowart and Schlesselman then dropped Stafford back off at her residence and then went to a local retail store and allegedly purchased nylon rope and two ski masks.

“It is critical that the alleged plot was interrupted,” said James Cavanaugh, Special Agent in Charge of ATF.  “We give credit to the Deputies of Crockett and Haywood Counties.  All forces of law enforcement have come together to stop this threat.”

The Defendants were arrested on October 22, 2008 by the Crockett County Sheriff’s Office.  “Once we arrested the defendants and suspected they had violated federal law, we immediately contacted federal authorities, ” said Sheriff Troy Klyce of Crockett County.  “The Sheriff’s Department is committed to keeping Crockett County a safe place for our all of citizens.”

Cowart and Schlesselman had their Initial Appearances in Federal Court today and are scheduled to be back in court for a Detention Hearing on October 30, 2008 in Memphis, Tennessee.

@NewsHour is doing a great job tweeting updates.