Houston man with ISIS ties charged and planned 9/11-style terrorist attack

U.S. Attorney Alamdar Hamdani and FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams Jr. announced Details of the case were announced at a press conference on Thursday.

Hamdani said Said was born in Houston but lived in Lebanon, where his family is from, until he was about 14 years old. He returned to the USA about 10 years ago.

After the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, he was allegedly motivated to plan a terrorist attack on local recruiting centers in Houston, provide a “sanctuary” for ISIS operatives from his apartment in Houston, and boast that he would commit a terrorist act had been done. He said he planned to carry out a Sept. 11-style terrorist attack, harm the Israeli community in Houston and harm former President George W. Bush if given sources, according to a multi-agency investigation.

“Today is a great day because we took a suspected terrorist off the streets of Houston, Texas, and that’s something we at the FBI don’t get to say publicly very often,” Williams said. “Said was accused of trying to provide material support to ISIS… and, by his own admission, was planning a terrorist attack on U.S. soil from his apartment in southwest Houston.”

Said has been on the FBI-Houston Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) radar since 2017 under the Trump administration, Williams said. The JTTF’s initial investigation found that he frequently reviewed ISIS literature and other online propaganda and “had a deep rapport with high-ranking ISIS personnel and even ordered special propaganda to externally demonstrate his support for ISIS.”

Williams said FBI agents had interviewed him multiple times since he first came to their attention, but after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, “his behavior began to veer toward violence and moved to the top of our list of national security threats.”

After searching Said’s home, vehicle and electronic devices, law enforcement officers uncovered additional connections between Said and ISIS, including a plot to harm former President Bush, according to court documents.

Williams said investigators uncovered numerous social media accounts that showed his continued support for ISIS and revealed that he was “looking for ways to commit violent acts in the United States, right here in Houston.” “He admitted that he had discussed how best to organize an attack on local military concentration centres. He admitted that he wanted to use explosives to commit a mass shooting in Houston. He offered his house to ISIS militants as a state shelter. He boasted that if he had the resources he would carry out a 9/11 style attack. “He expressed a desire to join the US military just so he could carry out an action once he was in their ranks.”

“JTTF partners prevented Said’s plans from becoming a reality,” he said.

Hamdani described the violent acts carried out by ISIS and claimed that ISIS gathered followers through social media and Said did the same.

Hamdani said Said communicated with ISIS’s official media outlet, produced ISIS propaganda videos and leaflets, and edited at least five videos and two images, which he then sent to an alleged ISIS social media and web designer. Materials, including videos and images encouraging ISIS violence, were allegedly distributed to other ISIS supporters. Still images from the videos were presented at the press conference.

Said also allegedly “discussed in his messages his desire to travel abroad to carry out violent jihad and … to commit acts of violence in Houston.” Hamdani said the documents showed he was researching how to make bombs and explosive belts.

Said is charged with attempting to provide material support to the foreign terrorist organization ISIS, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Hamdani said, “Individuals or groups cannot use social media to provide material support to ISIS or other terrorist organizations.” He said those who do this are considered a national security threat. Hamdani also warned “wannabe terrorists who believe they can hide behind encrypted apps or anonymous social media profiles… we will find you and hold you accountable.”

Said was arrested on November 8 and his detention hearing was held Thursday afternoon.

FBI Houston’s Joint Terrorism Task Force conducted the investigation with assistance from the Houston and Sugar Land police departments and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

The case is being handled by attorneys from Hamdani’s office and the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Bureau.