A 20-year-old Oklahoma resident is facing a significant prison term after confessing to planning a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS on a football stadium. The plot, which bears a chilling resemblance to a 2005 event where a student set off a bomb outside a stadium, was foiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Landon Swinford, the young man in question, presented himself as a fervent ISIS supporter on the internet while living at his parents’ house. His online activities included devising attacks and swearing loyalty to ISIS, all while maintaining the facade of an ordinary young adult.
The case began to unravel in 2023 when Swinford unknowingly interacted with an undercover FBI agent posing as an ISIS member. Swinford, a recent convert to Islam, expressed his contempt for American society, citing cultural grievances and the absence of Sharia law.
His interactions with the agent included sharing images of himself with an ISIS flag and a video in which he pledged allegiance while brandishing a knife. Swinford also sent a manifesto expressing his readiness to commit acts of terror for his cause.
Swinford initially targeted a football stadium, which he identified during a visit with his grandparents. He observed the security measures and deemed it a suitable location for an attack, akin to the 2005 bombing attempt.
However, Swinford later shifted his attention to New Orleans, intending to attack a Voodoo temple during Mardi Gras and then flee to Egypt. He planned to send money to the undercover agent as a down payment for travel.
The plot fell apart when Swinford’s mother found ISIS-related items in his room while looking for a Halloween costume. This discovery, along with a tip about child exploitation material linked to Swinford’s IP address, led to his arrest.
During questioning, Swinford confessed to his plans, stating that he would have carried out the attack if he had the financial means. He has since pleaded guilty to federal charges, including making terroristic threats and child exploitation offenses.
As Swinford awaits his sentence, he could face a prison term of 25 to 45 years, reflecting the gravity of his actions and the threat they posed.