Oklahoma: Muslim individual planned a jihadist attack at a college football stadium

Image: Jihad Watch

According to newly released court documents, a man from Oklahoma, Landon Kyle Swinford, expressed allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) and plotted a large-scale terrorist attack targeting the Oklahoma Sooners’ football stadium in 2023. Swinford believed the stadium was vulnerable to a terror strike and had actively begun evaluating its security.

The documents show that Swinford began communicating with an individual in May 2023 who he believed to be a fellow ISIS supporter—but who was, in fact, an undercover law enforcement officer. Over several months, the two discussed potential targets, with Swinford specifically identifying weaknesses in the security setup at the stadium. He reportedly observed the barriers and other protective measures in place and concluded that the stadium could be a viable site for a mass-casualty attack.

During their exchanges, Swinford revealed his broader ideological commitments, indicating a desire to join ISIS fighters abroad. He informed the undercover officer of his plans to travel to Tunisia to engage in armed conflict on behalf of the terrorist group. Financial limitations, however, prevented him from carrying out either the domestic or international attacks he envisioned. In a disturbing admission, he reportedly remarked that he “sadly” would have gone through with the bombing plan had he been able to afford the necessary resources.

Swinford’s interest in terrorism extended beyond Oklahoma. Court filings also revealed that he considered New Orleans a potential target, especially during high-profile events such as Mardi Gras. He had even mentioned a voodoo temple in the area as a specific location of interest for an attack. This comes in the context of a separate terror incident that occurred in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, heightening concerns over his intentions.

While Swinford has not yet been charged with terrorism-related crimes, he has pleaded guilty to unrelated but serious offenses, including possession of child pornography and transmitting threats across state lines. He is currently awaiting sentencing for those charges.

The newly unsealed documents also shed light on Swinford’s efforts to incite others to violence through online activity. According to the FBI, he used social media to encourage bombings of local synagogues and to spread propaganda designed to recruit and motivate others to act on behalf of ISIS. These revelations further underscore the extent of his ideological radicalization and the potential threat he posed.

As the case unfolds, federal authorities continue to assess Swinford’s connections and communications with international terrorist networks and whether others may have been influenced by his online rhetoric.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)