Robert J. "Bob" Troester U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma
A Blanchard, Oklahoma man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography and communicating a threat, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
Landon Kyle Swinford, 20, was charged following an investigation that began when he posted ISIS propaganda on social media and communicated with an undercover law enforcement officer between May and October 2023. During these communications, Swinford expressed a desire to travel overseas to join ISIS, discussed possible terror attacks at Gaylord Memorial Stadium at the University of Oklahoma, Walmart locations, and the city of New Orleans. He also sent a manifesto and an ISIS Bayat video pledging allegiance to ISIS and burning an Israeli flag.
The FBI determined that Swinford operated multiple social media accounts. On October 23, 2023, he posted a public statement on Instagram encouraging others to "bomb a synagogue" during Halloween.
Further investigation revealed that Swinford’s known IP address and two of his accounts had accessed child pornography in April and July 2023. He later confessed to possessing and sharing such material. A federal grand jury indicted him on July 17, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester stated: “The egregious conduct of this defendant stands in direct violation of our core values and must be confronted with the full force of the law. The Justice Department remains unwavering in its commitment to protect children and defend our communities from the vile, hateful rhetoric exposed in this case. This sentence sends an unmistakable message: those who exploit the internet to target the vulnerable and spread fear will face swift and severe consequences.”
FBI Oklahoma City Acting Special Agent in Charge Sonia Garcia added: “In an apparent pledge of loyalty to ISIS, the defendant used his access to the internet to make threats of violence against innocent Americans. The sentence handed down today reflects the deliberate and calculated nature of his crimes, which also include viewing child pornography. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate this kind of egregious behavior, and we will continue to respond to all threats with the utmost urgency.”
Swinford pleaded guilty on November 13, 2024, admitting he knowingly possessed material containing child pornography—including images involving prepubescent children—and knowingly transmitted threats.
At sentencing on August 14, 2025, U.S. District Judge Charles Goodwin ordered Swinford to serve 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Judge Goodwin cited as factors for sentencing Swinford’s targeting of synagogues and Jewish individuals, willingness to fight for ISIS, distribution of child pornography, direct contact with minors involving sexual discussions and image trading.
The case was investigated by several agencies including the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force; police departments from Edmond, Norman, New York City; McClain County Sheriff’s Office; Oklahoma City Community College Police Department; Oklahoma City Police Department; Oklahoma City University Police Department; Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation; University of Oklahoma Police Department; with prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Dillon.
Reference is made to public filings for further details.
