A Kansas City, Kan. man faces two felony charges after a witness reported him as a suspicious party last week near Kansas City International Airport.
At approximately 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, court documents indicate KCI Airport Police Department officers were dispatched to 72 N. Beirut in regard to a man dressed in all black tactical gear coming into Terminal C before returning to a blue 2009 Chrysler Sebring. Officers approached the vehicle that was parked curbside near Frontier Airlines with two occupants inside the car.
James Swinton
According to court documents, one of the officers said he observed fear in the female driver’s eye, and she was asked to exit the vehicle.
A black male, later identified as James Swinton, 43, was sitting in the front seat wearing black tactical clothing and refused to comply with the officer’s commands. The officer observed Swinton reaching behind his back for an unknown object.
According to court documents, officers ordered Swinton to show his hands, and he continued to not comply. Fearing that the suspect was reaching for a handgun, a second officer removed Swinton from the passenger side of the vehicle.
After being taken out of the car, Swinton continued to actively resist the officers and a taser was deployed, according to court documents. Officers frisked him for weapons and found a Smith and Wesson M&P .40 caliber handgun tucked into his clothing near the small of his back.
The handgun had 14 rounds in the magazine but none in the chamber.
A computer check of the handgun revealed that the weapon was listed stolen in Sept. of 2014 out of Kansas City, Mo. Swinton was placed into custody for possession of a stolen handgun.
Swinton was found to have on full black tactical clothing with knee protectors and a vest. The tactical equipment vest was found to have multiple extended handgun magazines that contained a total of 91 rounds of ammunition.
A computer check on Swinton revealed seven Kansas City, Kan. non-extraditable warrants totaling more than $1,000 in bonds. It was also determined that Swinton is on probation in Wyandotte County, Kan. for possession of a controlled substance.
At approximately 9 a.m., Swinton was removed from the KCI Airport Police Department’s holding cell and escorted to the investigation unit to be interrogated. According to court documents, Swinton said he had arrived at the KCI Airport regarding a child custody issue and he wore the tactical gear so people would respect him.
According to court documents, Swinton said he carried the Smith and Wesson because “he was in protective mode.” He also allegedly admitted knowing the pistol was stolen and knowing that carrying the weapon was a mistake because of his probation for possession of methamphetamine.
Swinton has been charged with felony unlawful possession of a firearm and felony for receiving stolen property and currently has a $50,000 cash-only bond.