Right-Wing 'Terrorist' Convicted For Role In Portland Violence

PORTLAND, OR — Eleven times Alan Swinney heard a jury in Portland say Tuesday that he was guilty of charges stemming from the violence that overtook the city in August 2020. Eleven times he heard a jury reject his argument that he'd driven more than 1,000 miles of Texas out of concern for Portland, that he was worried about the left-wing activists who were "destroying the city."

Swinney, a member of the Proud Boys far-right extremist group, had said he arrived in Portland — which was the site of nightly social justice protests — to show support for law enforcement because "everyone is coming down on them."

Live in Portland? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone.

In his closing argument of the six-day trial, Senior Deputy District Attorney Nathan Vasquez asked jurors to reject Swinney's claim that he'd been in Portland to fight terrorists.

"There was only one terrorist in Portland on those days," Vasquez told jurors. "And it was Alan Swinney.

"He came here with a six-shooter so he could terrorize our social justice movement here in Portland. He is not a sheriff. He is not a lawman. He has no authority over the streets here in Portland."

The jury convicted Swinney on 11 counts including attempted assault, menacing and unlawful use of a weapon.

Prosecutors showed that Swinney shot a man in the face with a paintball gun. The man had been recording the melee between antifascist and right-wing protesters on Aug. 15.

Swinney testified that he'd actually been aiming for someone else.

It wasn't the only time that Swinney's words might have played against him at the trial.

Prosecutors played a recording of Swinney made while he was in jail, referring to that videographer complaining of lingering pain.

"Too bad for him," Swinney can be heard saying.

Another charge stemmed from Swinney shooting a woman with a paintball gun.

"Did she deserve to get shot with a paintball?" Swinney said. "Yeah. Am I glad? Yeah."

When Swinney was on the stand, he was asked why he had pulled a gun on the crowd; he replied that he had run out of mace and paintballs.

A sentencing date has not been set.