Charges added to indictments in purported Obama plot

The Associated Press

MEMPHIS — Additional criminal charges were filed Thursday against two men accused of plotting to kill President-elect Barack Obama and dozens of other black people.

Daniel Cowart, 20, of rural West Tennessee and Paul Schlesselman, 18, of Helena-West Helena were charged Nov. 5 in a seven-count indictment with federal firearms violations and conspiracy.

The U.S. attorney’s office in Memphis said a 10-count superseding indictment added charges of damaging religious property and using a firearm during a crime of violence.

Cowart and Schlesselman have been held in a West Tennessee jail without bond since their arrests Oct. 22. They were initially taken into custody during an investigation into windows being shot out at a rural church.

A call to Cowart’s lawyer was not immediately returned. Schlesselman is represented by the federal public defenders office which declines comment on ongoing cases.

Authorities describe Cowart and Schlesselman as white supremacist skinheads.

They are accused of plotting a killing and robbery spree that was to culminate with an attack on Obama. Authorities say the two planned to drive at Obama at high speed while dressed in white tuxedoes and top hats and blasting firearms from the windows of their car.