Man charged with impersonating public servant to infiltrate Islamic Da'Wah Center

HOUSTON – Thirty-year-old Sam Qandil has been charged with impersonating a public servant.

Around 4:45 Monday afternoon, the executive director of the Islamic Da'Wah Center said Qandil entered the center at Franklin and Main, went to the building's basement and kicked over a religious display.

About 20 minutes later, the power went out and the fire alarm went off.

When an employee went into the basement, police said Qandil was in the electrical room, which is a restricted area. The executive director said Qandil claimed to be a city inspector and police officer.

"That's not the norm to find people like that. Every once in a while we see people who come in with bad intentions. And we call the law enforcement and they reply very quickly,” said Ameer Abuhalimeh, the center's executive director.

He told KPRC 2, "The Islamic Da'Wah Center is a safe house. It is open to Muslims and non-Muslims. Obviously for Muslims, they come in here for spiritual needs and learning, and also for non-Muslims, those who are curious, to learn about Islam, they come in with questions."

Prosecutors said Qandil impersonated a tow-truck driver, air conditioner tech and a private investigator.

In probable cause court Wednesday, a prosecutor said Qandil claimed ties to terrorists.  

The prosecutor said, "He also claimed that he had ties to ISIS.  And was doing work tied to that."

Police said he threatened retaliation in what he claimed was his job as a public servant.

His bond was set at $5,000.