An Oklahoma man, Landon Kyle Swinford, has been identified as part of a plot to attack the Oklahoma Sooners’ football stadium following his pledge of allegiance to ISIS, according to newly disclosed court records. The case has raised significant concerns about the potential for domestic extremists to target major public events, particularly those with large crowds.
According to the court documents, Swinford and an undercover officer had been in communication from May 2023 until October of the same year. During this time, Swinford expressed his intention to travel to Tunisia to join the Islamic State, indicating a strong commitment to the organization’s objectives. He also stated that he would have carried out the attack if he had been able to afford the necessary resources, highlighting the financial barriers that may deter some would-be extremists from executing their plans.
The documents further reveal that Swinford had also considered attacking New Orleans, the site of a previous terror attack on New Year’s Day. He allegedly planned to carry out the attack during Mardi Gras, targeting a voodoo temple, which underscores the diversity of potential targets that extremists might consider. The situation raises questions about the coordination and planning involved in such plots, as well as the challenges faced by law enforcement in detecting and thwarting them.
Swinford pleaded guilty to charges of child pornography possession and transmitting a threat in interstate commerce, and he is currently awaiting sentencing for these offenses. The release of the latest court documents, which link Swinford to ISIS communications, provides a more comprehensive understanding of the extent of his involvement and the nature of his threats. This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by domestic terrorism and the importance of vigilant security measures at major public events.