A 28-year-old Texas resident, Anas Said, is in FBI custody following his arrest on charges of attempting to support ISIS and plotting a terrorist attack on U.S. soil from his apartment in Houston. The FBI alleges that Said was actively researching methods to carry out violent acts in support of the Islamic State, with local military recruitment centers as potential targets.

According to FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams, Said was apprehended last week at his Houston apartment complex. During questioning, Said reportedly admitted to planning attacks on local recruitment centers, attempting to create ISIS propaganda, and claiming he would commit a “9/11-style” attack if given the means. “We stopped a potential terrorist attack from happening right here in Houston! Any day we can publicly say that is a good day,” FBI Houston stated.

Said’s case will proceed to a detention hearing on Thursday afternoon in a Houston federal court.

The investigation into Said’s activities began in 2017 when the FBI received a tip regarding two stickers he had purchased, one of which depicted the Dome of the Rock with an ISIS flag overlay. FBI agents interviewed Said multiple times in 2018, during which he admitted the stickers were intended to show his support for ISIS, though he claimed at the time to oppose violence in the group’s name. According to a detention memo, Said’s support for ISIS ideology reportedly began in 2015, following his family’s return to the U.S. from Lebanon.

In a 2019 interview, Said told agents he had abandoned radical views and focused solely on schoolwork and sports, claims later contradicted by DOJ findings. In October, the FBI reportedly received data from Meta Platforms, Inc., linking Said to several Facebook accounts showing continued ISIS support and endorsement of the group’s violent actions.

The DOJ further alleges that family members expressed concerns about Said’s activities. A search of his electronic devices reportedly revealed encrypted messaging apps containing materials promoting ISIS violence.

When FBI agents arrived with a search warrant on November 8, Said allegedly resisted and destroyed his cell phone. He now faces charges of attempting to provide material support to ISIS, a case that underscores ongoing efforts by law enforcement to track and prevent homegrown terrorism.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)