A Houston man faces serious federal charges after being accused of supporting ISIS and planning violent attacks. The case sheds light on years of alleged covert activity linked to extremist propaganda.
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According to the FBI, Anas Said, 28, was apprehended at his Houston apartment on November 8 for allegedly attempting to provide material support to ISIS. Said made a plea of not guilty during a hearing on Thursday, during which federal agents were captured on mobile phone footage conducting the arrest. Prosecutors contend that he destroyed evidence by smashing his phone while in custody.
Said's court documents suggest that he maintained numerous social media accounts on which he expressed his support for ISIS and the violent assaults conducted in its name. FBI Special Agent Douglas Williams Jr. emphasized the chilling disclosures made by Said, which included discussions about the possibility of targeting military recruitment centers and committing mass violence in Houston. Said was even contemplating enlisting the U.S. military to carry out an insider attack, according to Williams, and he offered his residence as a refuge for ISIS operatives.
Encrypted communications were discovered during searches of his property and electronic devices. These communications provided a detailed account of his endeavors to produce and disseminate pro-ISIS propaganda, including fliers and videos.
Said, a native of Houston, was employed at Pizza Patron alongside his sibling. Joana Gonzalez, his former manager, was taken aback by the news, as she had previously described him as punctual and dependable. "I would have never anticipated this." She stated, "He appeared to be a very kind individual."
Nevertheless, it has been reported that Said's online activity has been monitored by federal agents for six years. He may be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in federal incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000.
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