• Two neo-Nazi skinheads who allegedly plotted to assassinate Barack Obama pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on November 6, 2008.CNN: Supremacists Deny Obama Death Plot Charges (November 6, 2008) The ATF allegedly disrupted a plot by Tennesseans Paul Schlesselman and Daniel Cowart to assassinate president-elect Barack Obama and kill over 100 other black people. Schlesselman and Cowart allegedly planned on robbing a gun shop and going on a "killing spree" at an African-American high school. Both were arrested on October 22, 2008.KAIT: ATF Arrests Arkansas, Tennessee Men in Plot to Kill Obama (October 27, 2008)

    1. Case investigated by the ATFWBTV 3: Two Men Charged for Making Threats Against Obama (October 27, 2008)
    2. Arrested: Paul Schlesselman of Arkansas
    3. Arrested: Daniel Cowart of Tennessee
    4. Both men pleaded not guilty
    5. Men met online
    6. Allegedly planned on robbing a gun shop to obtain weapons and go on a "killing spree"
    7. Authorities said they were "willing to die" during their attemptMemphis Commercial Appeal: Mid-South men charged with threats on Obama
    8. Both arrested on October 22, 2008
    9. Arraigned on November 6, 2008
    10. Initial court appearance on October 27, 2008WBTV 3: Two Men Charged for Making Threats Against Obama (October 27, 2008)
    11. Scheduled for Detention Hearing on October 30, 2008, in Memphis, TennesseeWBTV 3: Two Men Charged for Making Threats Against Obama (October 27, 2008)
    12. Cowart and Schlesselman supposedly drew inspiration from a violent white nationalist group called the Order
    13. The two drew 14 and 88 on their car, shorthand for an allegiance to David Lane and the OrderGaurdian: Fourteen Words that spell racism (October 28, 2008)
    14. David Lane is a known member of the Order

  • Suspects Arrested

    Two men, Daniel Cowart, 20, of Bells, Tennessee and 18-year-old Paul Schlesselman of West Helena, Arkansas were charged with possessing a sawed-off shotgun, conspiracy to rob a federal firearms licensee and making threats against Barack Obama. The federal complaint reveals the men intended on using the weapons to go on a "killing spree" and had "White Power" and "Skinhead" beliefs.KAIT: ATF Arrests Arkansas, Tennessee Men in Plot to Kill Obama (October 27, 2008) The two men were influenced by the Order, a white nationalist group, best known for the murder of Denver talk show host Alan Berg in 1984. The two scrawled 14 and 88 on thir car. The numbers represent the 14-word slogan "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children" and the title of a David Lane essay, 88 Precepts.Gaurdian: Fourteen Words that spell racism (October 28, 2008)