Suspected terrorist arrested after officials say he showed support for ISIS

HOUSTON - A suspected terrorist is in custody after a seven-year federal investigation. FBI Houston said 28-year-old Anas Said admitted to planning a terrorist attack on U.S. soil.

The United States Attorney’s Office said Said was arrested on November 8 for trying to provide support to the terrorist organization, ISIS. 

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"We’ve taken a suspected terrorist off the streets of Houston, Texas," said Douglas Williams Jr., a special agent in charge at the FBI. 

Anas is charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq, a terrorist organization, otherwise known as ISIS. Court documents allege Anas praised ISIS's use of violence and expressed a desire to conduct violent attacks in the United States. 

"By his own admission, planning a terrorist attack on U.S. soil from his apartment here in southwest Houston," said Williams Jr. 

Said has been on the radar of the FBI Houston’s Joint Terrorism Task Force since 2017. They said early investigations revealed Said frequently viewed ISIS literature and attempted to create ISIS propaganda. 

"He held a deep affinity for high-ranking ISIS personnel and even ordered custom propaganda to outwardly show his support for ISIS," said Williams Jr. 

The FBI uncovered multiple social media accounts they allege Said used to display his support for ISIS. They also said Said admitted to researching how to conduct an attack on military recruiting centers, offering his home as a sanctuary for ISIS operatives, and wanting to use explosives to commit a mass killing in Houston.

In 2017, the FBI received a tip that Anas placed an order for two stickers that showed support of ISIS, according to court documents. Documents state Anas was interviewed four times in relation to the purchases between January and May 2018. Anas claimed he began believing in ISIS's ideology in 2015, after returning to the United States from Lebanon, where he lived with his family until 2014. 

"He bragged that he would commit a 9/11 style attack if he only had the resources," said Williams Jr. 

Court documents reveal Anas visited ISIS media websites. Those documents said in October 2023, the FBI received information from Meta Platforms regarding 11 Facebook accounts used by Anas that showed he continued to support ISIS. In February, the FBI executed a search warrant on Anas' home, vehicle, and electronic devices. The FBI interviewed Anas' mother and brother separately, and they expressed their concerns. 

Last week, FBI agents arrested Anas. When he was confronted by officials, they said he violently threw his cell phone to smash it. After being Mirandized and agreeing to speak with agents, Anas explained in great detail about the level and extent of his support for ISIS. Officials said Anas admitted he created, edited, and used various programs to create ISIS propaganda. 

"Those who create propaganda on behalf of a designated foreign terrorist organization are national security threats," said Alamdar S. Hamdani, the U.S. attorney of the Southern District of Texas. 

If convicted, Said faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.