A 28-year-old Muslim man has been arrested in Houston, Texas, for attempting to provide material support to the terror group ISIS and planning a terrorist attack.
Federal authorities arrested Anas Said in Houston last week after search warrants were executed by the FBI on his home, vehicle, and electronic devices.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) explained the findings in a statement, writing: “Analysis of the seized devices ultimately revealed Said’s activities relating to the creation and dissemination of propaganda on behalf of ISIS.”
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
The statement went on to note that ISIS propaganda was found on “multiple social media accounts” connected to Said, which contained “messages and posts that allegedly revealed that Said supported ISIS and the violent attacks carried out in its name.”
Said is facing up to 20 years in federal prison and a maximum of $250,000 in fines if convicted.
Meanwhile, his attorney has tried to defend him by claiming that Said was only supporting terrorism, not planning to aid in terrorism.
“The indictment only alleges that he supported a terrorist group through the production of videos and propaganda,” attorney Balemar Zuniga claimed.
Despite his attorney’s claims, the FBI has confirmed that Said admitted after being taken into custody that he had been researching how to carry out an attack on local military recruiting centers. He also reportedly told authorities that he had been offering his home as safe sanctuary for ISIS operatives and bragged that he would commit a “9/11-style” terror attack if he had the resources to do so. Said also admitted to trying to produce ISIS propaganda.
According to a report from Fox News, Said had been on the FBI’s radar since 2017 after they had been tipped about him buying pro-ISIS stickers. The outlet further reported that Said began supporting ISIS after he returned from a trip to Lebanon with his family in 2015.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, also informed federal law enforcement that Said owned 11 Facebook accounts that were being used to support ISIS.
While executing the search warrant last week, FBI allege that Said refused to comply and attempted to destroy his cellphone.
Said’s support for ISIS had become so obsessive that even his family members “expressed their concerns” about it to law enforcement.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) praised the FBI for the arrest in a post on X, writing: “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.”
“Let his arrest be an example: We will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” he added.
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.
Let his arrest be an example: We will find you and prosecute you to… https://t.co/ONo4cw2CrH
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) November 15, 2024
