FBI arrests Houston man for allegedly attempting to aid in ISIS terror attack

Nov 14

Karah Rucker Reporter

By Karah Rucker (Reporter), Alex Delia (Producer), Jack Henry (Video Editor)

A 28-year-old Houston man has been arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS and plotting a terrorist attack. FBI officials say Anas Said was apprehended after admitting to planning violence and offering his apartment as a sanctuary for ISIS operatives.

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Said’s arrest follows a monthslong investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. Authorities say he researched ways to carry out an attack on local military recruiting centers, and expressed intentions to commit a “9/11-style” attack if he had the resources.

The FBI investigating after suspicious letters, some with fentanyl, were sent to election offices in at least five states this week. — Getty Images

Investigators also revealed that Said attempted to produce pro-ISIS propaganda, including images, videos and flyers.

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The FBI began investigating Said after discovering his social media activity in support of ISIS, which escalated following the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. Said reportedly expressed a desire to join the U.S. military to carry out an attack from within its ranks.

In addition to offering his home as a safe house for ISIS operatives, Said allegedly used encrypted messaging apps to coordinate his efforts to assist the terrorist group.

He is facing up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted.

Said was arrested on Nov. 8 and is scheduled for a detention hearing later today. The FBI’s investigation was supported by the Houston and Sugar Land Police Departments and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

Tags: Houston, Isis, Middle East Crisis, Terrorism, Texas

THE FBI SAYS A HOUSTON MAN IS IN CUSTODY, FACING SERIOUS CHARGES OF PLOTTING A TERRORIST ATTACK ON U.S. SOIL.

FBI Special Agent Douglas A. Williams Jr.

“Today is a great day… we’ve taken a suspected terrorist off the streets of Houston, Texas and that’s something we at the FBI didn’t get to publicly say very often.”

28-YEAR-OLD ANAS SAID WAS ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY ATTEMPTING TO SUPPORT ISIS RECRUITMENT AND COORDINATION FROM HIS APARTMENT IN HOUSTON.

Alamdar Hamdani. U.S. Attorney. Southern District of Texas
“After being mirandized… and agreeing to speak with agents… Said explained allegedly in great detail the level and extent of his support for a foreign terrorist organization….Isis”

ACCORDING TO THE FBI, SAID ADMITTED TO RESEARCHING ATTACKS ON LOCAL MILITARY RECRUITING CENTERS AND EVEN OFFERED HIS HOME AS A SAFE HAVEN FOR ISIS OPERATIVES. IN A DISTURBING CONFESSION, HE REPORTEDLY CLAIMED HE WOULD CARRY OUT A ‘9/11-STYLE’ ATTACK IF HE HAD THE RESOURCES. SAID ALSO ALLEGEDLY ATTEMPTED TO PRODUCE PRO-ISIS PROPAGANDA… EDITING AT LEAST 5 VIDEOS FOR A PRO-ISIS WEBSITE.

FBI Special Agent Douglas A. Williams Jr.

“Since 2017 Said has been on the radar of the FBI Houston’s joint terrorism task force or JTTF our early investigation determined Said frequently viewed Isis literature and other online propaganda”

THE FBI REVEALED THURSDAY THAT SAID’S ONLINE ACTIVITY HAD INTENSIFIED AFTER THE OCTOBER 2023 HAMAS ATTACKS ON ISRAEL, DRAWING MORE ATTENTION FROM FBI HOUSTON’S JOINT TERRORISM TASK FORCE… SAYING THE SUSPECT’S VIOLENT INTENTIONS MADE HIM A TOP NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERN IN HOUSTON.

INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY UNCOVERED ENCRYPTED MESSAGES DETAILING SAID’S PLANS… INCLUDING IMAGES, VIDEOS, AND FLYERS, ALL AIMED AT PROMOTING ISIS’ VIOLENT AGENDA.

Alamdar Hamdani. U.S. Attorney. Southern District of Texas
“To those wannabe terrorists who believe they can hide behind encrypted apps or anonymous social media profiles. Please understand that we will find you… and we will hold you to account”

IF CONVICTED, SAID FACES 20 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON AND A FINE OF 250-THOUSAND DOLLARS..

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FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS… I’M KARAH RUCKER.