FBI Says It Busted ISIS’s Graphic Designer in Houston

A Houston piece the FBI arrested this month and charge with providing material financial backing to ISIS allegedly created a portfolio of online propaganda for the terrorist group and researched how to construct an explosive belt , harmonise to young court filings .

Anas Said was arrested on November 8 after a year - long investigation during which the FBI interview him multiple times , do a search warrant on his home and gimmick , and received selective information from Meta that allegedly register he was behind 11 Facebook accounts that post pro - ISIS fabric . According to amotionprosecutors recently lodge in the case , which was first reported byCourt Watchand404 Media , the 28 - year - old “ repeatedly carry his desire to travel overseas to crusade for ISIS ” and “ has pass time planning and hash out the commission of violent attacks he hope to commit , including in the Houston domain . ”

agent had been tag Said since 2017 after he allegedly placed an order for sticker with pro - ISIS symbol and phrases . They interviewed him at least five time between January 2018 and March 2019 , when he take he no longer consumed ISIS propaganda and “ only used the internet for school assignment and watching sports , ” according to the movement .

Federal prosecutors allege Anas Said communicated with ISIS members and discussed attacks on U.S. soil.

Federal prosecutors allege Anas Said communicated with ISIS members and discussed attacks on U.S. soil.© Ahmad Al-Rubaye/Getty Images

But after receive data from Meta in October 2023 about Said ’s alleged Facebook activeness , the FBI obtained search sanction and seized his electronic devices , on which tec allegedly find encrypted messages document his propaganda body of work on behalf of ISIS . Among the messages , the FBI allegedly uncovered communications between Said and a someone claiming to be the “ number 2 ” designer for ISIS who provided Said feedback on his propaganda images and videos .

After his arrest , Said allegedly “ readily admitted ” to the FBI that he created ISIS propaganda and say that he had considered purchasing a gun and killing U.S. military personnel .

In their move bespeak pre - trial custody , public prosecutor debate that Said and his family told investigators on multiple occasions that they would return to Lebanon , where they had previously inhabit if they were allowed . appendage of Said ’s family , who had previously reported his conduct to authority , also allegedly tell the FBI that they were worried about his pro - ISIS beliefs and violent behaviour .

ISIS graphic design exhibit

© FBI

suppose allegedly had on-line conversation with an surreptitious FBI employee in which he discussed dissimilar method acting for travel to the Middle East and joining ISIS .

At other times , he allegedly hash out attacking nearby military recruiting pith with the surreptitious agent and tell that ISIS “ brothers ” had set about to enter Texas to kill former president George W. Bush .

ISISterrorism

ISIS graphic design exhibit