(NewsNation) — The FBI says a Texas man was a graphic designer for ISIS — and planned to carry out an attack in the United States.
Federal agents say they had been tracking Anas Said and his online footprint since 2017. They knew who he was and interviewed him several times in the past year.
However, Said’s online activity became increasingly violent, according to court documents.
Agents say Said repeatedly expressed his desire to travel overseas to fight for the Islamic State group and spent time planning and discussing the commission of violent attacks with undercover agents.
Law enforcement searched Said’s home, vehicle, and electronic devices.
“He admitted to wanting to use explosives to commit a mass killing here in Houston,” FBI Special Agent Doug Williams said. He offered his home as a safe sanctuary to Islamic State group operatives. He bragged that he would commit a 9/11-style attack if only he had the resources.”
Court documents allege that Said produced five videos and made two images for dissemination with Islamic State grouppropaganda.
He previously told an undercover FBI agent he was planning to help the Islamic State group kill former President George W. Bush.
Authorities say Said became increasingly radicalized after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel.
The man’s defense attorney, however, said his client didn’t have the wherewithal to carry out an attack.
“We have to remember, this is a guy that was making dough at a pizza parlor,” his attorney Val Zuniga said. “OK? This is not a mastermind criminal. And seems to me, gotten into a chat room with somebody that would listen to and pay attention to him.”
Said remains in custody. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison. His next court appearance is scheduled for January.
