A Houston man accused of conspiring to commit murder has been indicted under a new terrorism law in Texas, marking the first case of its kind in Harris County.
On Tuesday, he was handed a bond of $10 million.
Recommended Videos
Laith Adil Shehzad, 18, was arrested and charged with terrorism on Aug. 18, 2024, after authorities say he conspired to commit murder the intent to intimidate or coerce the public or a substantial group of the public. He was 17 at the time of his arrest.
The legal proceedings are taking place under a new state law that created a criminal offense of terrorism. This is the first time someone has been charged with terrorism under this statute in Harris County.
SEE ALSO: Houston teen indicted for terrorism under new state law in Harris County
The law applies to a person who commits or conspires to commit an array of existing offenses with the intent to intimidate or coerce the public or a substantial group of the public. The offense is punishable by one penalty category higher than the most serious offense that was committed or conspired to be committed.
Background on the case
According to court documents, Shehzad was communicating with an unknown individual claiming to be a confined extremist cell member who is in custody in the Philippines for acts of terrorism.
SEE ALSO: Houston teen indicted for conspiring to commit murder under new terrorism law
Shehzad was allegedly soliciting support from the individual. He was also seeking assurance that the gun—specifically a Glock with a standard magazine, an extended magazine, and a drum magazine he planned to use—was powerful enough to complete a mass casualty event.
The documents say Shehzad had been under the supervision of the Texas Department of Juvenile Justice after being found to have been engaged in delinquent conduct.
During the legal proceedings of those less severe cases, Shehzad was found to be in possession of homemade explosives as well as a journal with extremist propaganda and instructions on how to create high explosives.
Prior to the indictment, the documents say in 2021, Shehzad admitted to members of the FBI that he was self-radicalized and subscribed to the ideology and goals of ISIS. He also allegedly admitted he was an expert with explosives and has attempted to solicit roles in multiple mass casualty events as an explosive’s expert.
When the FBI came to his home to meet with him, Shehzad allegedly concealed the Glock and a cell phone that contained evidence against him.
The court documents also say Shehzad had multiple Facebook accounts he was using to contact accounts associated with ISIS. At the time of his probation from his earlier cases with the Texas Department of Juvenile Justice, Shehzad was not allowed to possess or use any cell phones or computers.
The documents also say a review of Shehzad’s Facebook accounts showed he was planning to imminently carry out a mass casualty event, but was stopped from doing so by action taken by the rideshare service he was attempting to use for transportation.
