Radicalized Texas Man Arrested For Threats Against Against Jews

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The United States has seen an increase in chatter online and through intelligence about possible terrorist threats here in the United States. From college campuses to social media to online forums, the FBI has seen an increase in the number of threats against the Jewish community.

This is happening in Texas as well. According to the Houston Chronicle, authorities arrested an individual last week in Houston was "studying how to build bombs and posted online about his support for killing Jews". FBI Director Christopher Wray reported to Congress on Tuesday about the incident.

According to the Houston Chronicle, a spokesperson for the FBI's Houston Division confirmed that a Sohaib Abuyyash was the person Wray was talking about. Court records indicated that Abuyyash was arrested on Friday and for now charged with allegations of unlawful possession of a firearm by an immigrant. Abuyyash was admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa.

A redacted complaint shows that the FBI was conducting "a national security investigation" of the 20-year-old citizen of Jordan "for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person."

"Through the logical course of the investigation, it was discovered that Abuyyash has been in direct contact with others who share a radical mindset, has been conducting physical training, and has trained with weapons to possibly commit an attack," FBI Special Agent Keith Fogg wrote in the redacted complaint filed on Oct. 19 in the district court.

The Chronicle reported that he moved to the United States from Jordan in 2016 on a tourism visa and this past August was approved for the I-65 Application for Employment Authorization. He has a Texas drivers license but is not allowed to have or use firearms or ammunition.