Texas ISIS Supporter Admits to Disseminating Terrorist Propaganda

By Selina Xia Zamacois

HOUSTON, TEXAS — A Houston man has admitted to concealing his efforts to support ISIS and lying to federal agents about a weapon he discussed using to potentially kill people, according to federal prosecutors.

Anas Said, age 30, pleaded guilty to concealing material support to a foreign terrorist organization and making false statements. Prosecutors say Said was an active, pledged supporter of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham and used multiple social media accounts to post, share, and circulate ISIS propaganda. He also communicated on Telegram, where he received feedback on extremist media he created himself.

According to court documents, Said discussed sending one of his videos to Sarh al‑Khilafah, also known as Tower of the Caliphate, a media entity that produces and aggregates ISIS content online. The group publishes materials ranging from operational security guidance to instructions involving chemicals and explosives. Said admitted he knew the organization worked on behalf of ISIS and removed his name from the video before it was published to hide his involvement.

Prosecutors said Said also lied to law enforcement about a weapon he possessed and had discussed on social media. As part of his plea, he acknowledged making a statement expressing his desire to kill “infidels” with the weapon and harm as many people as possible.

U.S. District Judge David Hittner accepted Said’s plea on July 24. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 16, when Said faces up to 10 years in federal prison for concealing material support and up to five years for making false statements. Each count also carries a potential $250,000 fine. He remains in custody until sentencing.

The case was investigated by FBI Houston’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, with assistance from the Houston and Sugar Land police departments and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. The JTTF includes multiple federal, state, and local agencies, including the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Diplomatic Security Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Secret Service, Houston Metro Police, Customs and Border Protection, and the Federal Air Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Schammel and Liesel Roscher are prosecuting the case.