Prosecutors: Obama Plotters Were Armed and Dangerous

JACKSON, Tenn. (AP) _ Federal prosecutors say two White supremacists accused of plotting to kill President Barack Obama and dozens of other Black people were armed and dangerous when West Tennessee authorities swooped down on them.

Eighteen-year-old Paul Schlesselman of Helena-West Helena, Ark., and 20-year-old Daniel Cowart of Bells, Tenn., were arrested in October -- while Obama was still a candidate -- and are in custody without bond.

In answer to defense arguments that Schlesselman was arrested on flimsy evidence, prosecutors say authorities had no choice but to take him into custody.

Prosecutors say sheriff's deputies had a reliable tip that Schlesselman and Cowart were planning violent crimes and they were arrested while driving around armed.

A court hearing is set next week on a defense petition to suppress government evidence.