DENVER | Local and federal authorities are investigating whether three men and a woman arrested in the Denver area on drug and firearms suspicions may have been plotting to assassinate Sen. Barack Obama but they say there are no credible threats right now involving the Democratic presidential candidate.

Aurora police arrested Tharin Robert Gartrell Sunday morning in a traffic stop. Federal authorities expect to charge him, and the other suspects, with gun charges -- although they are unlikely to charge any at the present time with plotting to kill Mr. Obama, or other national security crimes, an FBI spokeswoman said.

Federal authorities have scheduled a press conference this afternoon to discuss the arrests, and have been largely mum on the matter since a Denver television station reported the story Monday.

"We're aware of the matter discussed tonight by the Aurora Police Department. Federal law enforcement is working hand-in-glove with the Aurora Police Department," Denver U.S. Attorney Troy Eid said in a statement.

"We can say this: We're absolutely confident there is no credible threat to the candidate, the Democratic National Convention, or the people of Colorado," he said.

-- Tom LoBianco, Maryland political reporter, The Washington Times

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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