Suspects Allegedly Plotted Obama Shooting

Aug. 26, 2008— -- Federal prosecutors in Colorado have charged three men, one of whom reportedly has strong ties to a white supremacist gang, with weapons and drug charges stemming from an investigation into an alleged plot to use a rifle to kill Sen. Barack Obama, according to court documents.

Law enforcement sources said the men planned to seek a high vantage point overlooking Invesco Field and open fire with .22 and .270 scope-equipped rifles, though federal authorities have emphasized that there was no immediate, credible threat to the Illinois senator.

Obama, who will travel to Denver this week, is set to accept the Democratic Party's nomination for president and speak at the stadium Thursday.

A traffic stop launched the investigation and authorities arrested Tharin Robert Gartrell, 28, Nathan Johnson, 32, and Shawn Robert Adolph, 33, as part of the inquiry. All three men had tattoos of white supremacist imagery, authorities told ABC News.

Federal law enforcement sources described Adolph as a "longtime white supremacist thug" and added that at least one of the men is reportedly linked to the notorious Sons of Silence motorcycle gang.

Federal authorities filed a criminal complaint against Adolph today, charging him with unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of body armor by a violent felon and possession and intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The court documents also referenced drug and weapons charges against Johnson, and a meth possession charge against Gartrell.

All three men had prior criminal records, and at the time of his arrest, Adolph was considered a fugitive, having allegedly dodged a July court appearance in Kit Carson County in eastern Colorado, where he is also facing weapons and theft charges.

According to an affidavit filed by an Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent in the federal case against Adolph, an unidentified female "provided information regarding possible threats made against presidential candidate Barack Obama."