Tensions are running high on the global stage. International intelligence briefings continue to warn of Iranian-linked sleeper cells operating in North America, and the Department of Homeland Security has quietly raised internal threat awareness levels in light of unrest in the Middle East.
Against this backdrop, two ISIS-inspired terror plots from Oklahoma have resurfaced — not because of new attacks, but because of critical legal milestones that highlight just how real, and how close, extremist threats can be.
These aren’t historic case studies. These are recent, chilling reminders of how quickly ideology can radicalize individuals in our own neighborhoods — and how essential public awareness and law enforcement vigilance remain.
THE ELECTION DAY PLOT: NASIR AHMAD TAWHEDI Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a 27-year-old Afghan national living in Oklahoma City, pleaded guilty on June 13, 2025, to two federal terrorism charges: conspiring to provide material support to ISIS and attempting to acquire firearms to carry out a terrorist attack.
According to federal authorities, Tawhedi’s plan was to carry out a mass shooting on or around November 5, 2024—Election Day in the United States. He purchased two AK-47-style rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition, intending to kill as many people as possible. He conspired with his 17-year-old brother-inlaw, who also pleaded guilty and now faces up to 15 years in prison.
Tawhedi arrived in the United States in September 2021 on a special visa granted during the chaotic evacuation of Kabul. Over time, he reportedly became radicalized, citing retaliation for civilian casualties in Gaza as his primary motive.
The FBI began monitoring Tawhedi in the fall of 2024. After more than a month of surveillance and interaction with undercover agents, he was arrested in October while attempting to acquire the weapons. The FBI Director has credited interagency collaboration for preventing what could have been a catastrophic domestic attack.
Tawhedi’s guilty plea represents a significant milestone in the case and draws renewed attention to national security concerns, immigration vetting processes, and the threat of homegrown extremism. His sentencing is expected later this year.
These plots aren’t connected, and their perpetrators come from vastly different backgrounds — one a recent Afghan refugee, the other a young American from a small Oklahoma town. But they share a common thread: radicalization fueled by online echo chambers, and a willingness to carry out mass violence on U.S. soil in ISIS’s name.
What makes this moment critical is that both individuals were stopped — but not before they made detailed plans, acquired weapons, or scouted targets. It’s a sobering testament to the thin line between intention and tragedy — and the urgent need for continued investment in counterterrorism intelligence, surveillance, and digital monitoring.
THE OU STADIUM PLOT: LANDON KYLE SWINFORD On June 12, 2025, federal court filings revealed disturbing new details in the case of Landon Kyle Swinford, a 20-year-old from Blanchard, Oklahoma. Swinford, who was arrested in late 2023, had plotted an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack on the University of Oklahoma’s Gaylord Memorial Stadium.
In May 2023, Swinford began communicating with an undercover FBI agent, praising ISIS propaganda and sharing a self-written manifesto pledging allegiance to the group. By September 30, 2023, he attended a Sooners football game with his grandparents and took note of potential security weaknesses in and around the stadium.
In October, Swinford met the undercover agent on campus, where the two discussed the viability of attacking the stadium using homemade propane or butane-based explosives. Swinford also expressed interest in targeting a voodoo temple in New Orleans during Mardi Gras.
Ultimately, Swinford never attempted to carry out his plans—largely because of his financial situation. During a March 2024 interview, he admitted to FBI agents that he would have moved forward with the attack if he had the means. He pleaded guilty in November 2024 to charges of transmitting threats in interstate commerce and possession of child pornography, for which he now faces up to 25 years in federal prison.
The recent release of the sentencing memo is the first time the public has seen the full extent of Swinford’s intentions and radicalization. The memo makes clear that although no physical attack occurred, the threat was real—and only thwarted by proactive law enforcement intervention.
WHY THESE CASES MATTER NOW Both cases are resurfacing in public discourse due to major legal developments this week: Tawhedi’s formal guilty plea on June 13 and the release of Swinford’s sentencing memo on June 12. These updates provide critical insight into how radicalization can take root in different environments—from refugee resettlement to online echo chambers—and how law enforcement agencies are adapting to intercept threats before they can be realized.
They also serve as a sobering reminder of the enduring presence of ISIS-inspired ideology in the United States, and the importance of vigilance at both local and national levels.
WHAT COMES NEXT
Both men await sentencing, and federal prosecutors are expected to push for lengthy prison terms. For Tawhedi, the focus will likely be on the gravity of his attempted Election Day massacre and his ties to overseas conflict zones. For Swinford, prosecutors may emphasize the seriousness of his plotting and the danger of allowing radicalized individuals to operate unnoticed in the digital realm.
Future coverage may include victim impact statements, changes to campus or public event security, and broader discussions about terrorism prevention policy in the U.S.
These recent Oklahoma cases remind us that safety isn’t just about reacting to threats — it’s about staying connected, paying attention, and supporting the people and systems that quietly protect us every day.
As global conflicts and online influences continue to shape our world, awareness at the local level becomes more important than ever — not to cause fear, but to build stronger, more informed communities.
The stories unfolding now aren’t just about what was stopped — they’re about how it was stopped, and how everyday vigilance and compassion can help keep Oklahoma, and the nation, safe.
