Anas Said, a 28-year-old from Houston, Texas, has been arrested by the FBI for his purported ties to ISIS and plans to carry out attacks on U.S. soil.
An FBI inquiry led to Said's apprehension after plotting attacks on military recruiting centers and attempting to produce ISIS propaganda, Fox News reported.
The arrest occurred last week at his apartment, following a lengthy investigation by law enforcement into his activities and affiliations with the terrorist group ISIS. Said is charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS, a federal crime that underscores the severity of his intentions.
FBI Special Agent in charge Douglas Williams highlighted the success of the operation, stating, "We stopped a potential terrorist attack from happening right here in Houston! Any day we can publicly say that is a good day." This statement reflects the relief and achievement felt by the FBI in preventing possible acts of terrorism.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the investigation into Said began back in 2017 when he came under scrutiny for purchasing ISIS-related stickers, an act that initially flagged his possible extremist leanings. In subsequent interviews, Said confessed to owning these stickers as a show of support for ISIS.
In 2018, the FBI conducted multiple interviews with Said, during which he openly admitted to his support for ISIS through the possession and display of these stickers. This admission linked him more directly to activities supporting ISIS, warranting further investigation.
Analysis of Said’s electronic devices revealed his continued support for the violent actions of ISIS through the creation and dissemination of propaganda. The DOJ reported that up to October 2023, Said utilized 11 different Facebook accounts to spread ISIS ideology and promote the group's violent actions. The DOJ claims that Said did not limit his efforts to produce ISIS propaganda to social media; he converted his home into a sanctuary for ISIS operatives and used it as a base to create videos and other material promoting the group.
Douglas Williams also noted that Said attempted a "9/11-style" attack as part of his broader terrorist ambitions. During a search of his home last Friday, Said resisted the FBI agents and destroyed his cellphone, perhaps in an attempt to hide evidence.
Attorney Balemar Zuniga represented Said in court and contended that while the indictment accuses Said of producing propaganda to support ISIS, it does not directly accuse him of engaging in specific terrorist acts. Zuniga argued that Said's actions, while misguided, did not translate to an explicit terror threat against the United States.
Balemar Zuniga commented on the perceived intensity of Said’s views toward the U.S:
Does it seem a bit excessive? Yes... I would not say that at all. I think that he is certainly passionate about protecting his Islamic religion. I don't think he has any particular animosity toward the United States itself.
The FBI also debunked Said’s 2019 claim of ceasing to consume extremist material and using the internet solely for school and leisure, stating simply, "That wasn't true." His persistent production and distribution of ISIS-related content belied his assertions to the contrary.
Said appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, where the details of his charges were discussed. The case provides insight into the ongoing efforts by U.S. law enforcement to monitor and prevent domestic terrorism, particularly those actions influenced by foreign terrorist organizations.
The case against Anas Said encapsulates significant national security concerns about radicalization and the willingness of individuals to support foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS. Law enforcement's timely intervention prevented potential terrorist attacks, underscoring the importance of vigilance and intelligence gathering in combating terrorism.
