Federal authorities have arrested and charged a 28-year-old Muslim man in Texas with attempting to provide material support to ISIS.
Anas Said was arrested in Houston last week after the FBI executed search warrants on his residence, vehicle, and electronic devices.
“Analysis of the seized devices ultimately revealed Said’s activities relating to the creation and dissemination of propaganda on behalf of ISIS,” the Department of Justice said in a statement.
The propaganda was found on “multiple social media accounts” linked to Said, which contained “messages and posts that allegedly revealed that Said supported ISIS and the violent attacks carried out in its name.”
If convicted, Said faces up to 20 years in federal prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
His attorney, Balemar Zuniga, downplayed the charges and the claim that his client was planning an attack, saying: “The indictment only alleges that he supported a terrorist group through the production of videos and propaganda.”
However, after being taken into custody, the FBI said that the suspect admitted to researching how to conduct an attack on local military recruiting centers, offering his home as safe sanctuary to ISIS operatives, bragging he would commit a “9/11-style” attack if he had the resources, and attempting to produce ISIS propaganda.
#BREAKING FBI Houston SAC Douglas Williams announces the arrest of 28-year-old Anas Said. He is accused of attempting to provide material support to ISIS, and, by his own admission, planning a #terrorist attack on U.S. soil – all from his apartment in far west Houston. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/o8TnNwRkLn
— FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) November 14, 2024
Anas Said was arrested last week at the apartment complex where he lived.
We stopped a potential terrorist attack from happening right here in Houston! Any day we can publicly say that is a good day. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/9QUkhu20JM
— FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) November 14, 2024
Fox News reported that Said has been on the FBI’s radar since 2017 after the agency received a tip about him purchasing pro-ISIS stickers.
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The report said that he allegedly began supporting ISIS after he and his family returned to the U.S. from Lebanon around 2015.
Meta informed federal law enforcement that Said had 11 Facebook accounts that he was allegedly using to support ISIS.
Said’s family members had “expressed their concerns” about his activities in interviews with law enforcement, the report said.
When the FBI executed its search warrant last week, he allegedly refused to comply and tried to destroy his phone, the report said.
“I am grateful for the swift and diligent work of @FBIHouston and other local law enforcement agencies to arrest Anas Said who was planning, researching, and recruiting to execute a terrorist attack in Houston,” said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).
“Let his arrest be an example: We will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” he added.
