US Attorney Alamdar Hamdani and FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams Jr. announced details of the case in a press conference on Thursday.

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

After the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, he was allegedly motivated to plan a terrorist attack on local military recruiting centers in Houston, provide “sanctuary” for ISIS operatives in his Houston apartment, boasted that he would commit a 9/11-style terrorist attack, if given the resources, said he wanted to harm the Israeli community in Houston and plotted to harm it former President George W. Bush, 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 here 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 early investigation found that he frequently viewed ISIS literature and other propaganda online and “had a deep affinity for high-ranking ISIS personnel and even ordered customized propaganda to outwardly show his support for ISIS.”

FBI agents have interviewed him several times since he first came to their attention, but after the October 7 Hamas attacks, “his behavior began to mobilize toward violence … and he rose to the top of our list of threats to national security,” Williams said.

After law enforcement searched Said’s home, vehicle and electronic devices, they discovered additional ties between him and ISIS, including a plot to harm former President Bush, according to court documents.

Investigators discovered multiple social media accounts that showed his continued support for ISIS and that he was “looking for ways to commit violent acts in the United States … right here in Houston,” Williams said. “He admitted to discussing how best to conduct an attack on local military recruitment centers. He admitted that he wanted to use explosives to commit a mass murder here in Houston. He offered his home as a state sanctuary to ISIS operatives. He boasted that he would carry out a 9/11-style attack if only he had the resources. He expressed his desire to join the US military only to be able to commit an act once he was in their ranks.”

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

Hamdani described the violent acts committed by ISIS, explaining that it recruits followers through social media, which Said was allegedly doing.

Said allegedly communicated with official ISIS media, created ISIS propaganda videos and flyers, and edited at least five videos and two images that he then sent to an alleged ISIS web and social media designer, Hamdani said. The materials were allegedly disseminated to other ISIS supporters, including videos and images promoting ISIS violence. Still images from the videos were shown at the press conference.

Said also allegedly “discussed his desire to travel abroad to commit violent jihad in his messages and … commit violent acts in Houston.” The documents show he was allegedly researching how to make a bomb and build an explosive belt, Hamdani said.

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

“Individuals or groups cannot use social media to provide material support to ISIS or other terrorist organizations,” Hamdani said. Those who do are considered threats to national security, he said. Hamdani also warned “wannabe terrorists who think 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 on Thursday afternoon.

The FBI Houston Joint Terrorism Task Force led the investigation, receiving assistance from the Houston and Sugar Land police departments and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Hamdani’s office and the trial attorneys of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.