Authorities arrested 28-year-old Anas Said after he supported ISIS and allegedly aimed to plan a terrorist attack.
Said, from Houston, Texas, admitted to researching how to conduct an attack on local military recruiting centers, Fox News reported. Said further claimed he would commit a “9/11-style” attack if he had the resources.
“Law enforcement executed searches of Said and his residence, vehicle and electronic devices,” the Justice Department said. “According to court documents, analysis of the seized devices ultimately revealed Said’s activities relating to the creation and dissemination of propaganda on behalf of ISIS.”
If convicted, Said faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 maximum fine.
Said’s attorney, Baldemar Zuniga, told Fox News, “The indictment only alleges that he supported a terrorist group through the production of videos and propaganda.” He emphasized that the FBI has not charged Said with plotting a terrorist attack. “None of that is alleged,” Zuniga stated.
According to the DOJ’s detention memo, Said admitted that he “tried several times to travel to join ISIS and stated he would readily move back to Lebanon if he were released. He also discussed his efforts to commit violence in the United States, including considering purchasing a gun, researching military recruitment facilities, and scouting one specific location on Westheimer Road.”
“Defendant also stated he considered asking military members that he would see near his work if they supported Israel or if they had been deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq and killed Muslims there, and if they said yes, those are the persons he would kill,” the memo said.