A 28-year-old Long Beach resident was arrested Thursday on federal charges alleging he provided financial support to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, authorities announced.
Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, a lawful permanent resident originally from the Philippines, is accused of sending 12 separate payments totaling $1,615 to ISIS-linked individuals overseas over a five-month span. He is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, a felony offense that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Villanueva was taken into custody by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and is scheduled to make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles this afternoon.
“Supporting a terrorist group, whether at home or abroad, is a serious risk to our national security,” said Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “We will aggressively hunt down and prosecute anyone who provides support or comfort to our enemies.”
According to an affidavit filed with the criminal complaint, Villanueva allegedly communicated via social media with two individuals claiming to be ISIS fighters. In these conversations, he reportedly expressed a desire to support ISIS financially and even participate in combat.
“It’s an honor to fight and die for our faith. It’s the best way to go to heaven,” Villanueva wrote in one exchange, later adding, “Someday soon, I’ll be joining.”
In another conversation, he claimed to possess a bomb and knives. During Thursday morning’s arrest, FBI agents reportedly found what appeared to be a bomb in his bedroom.
Authorities allege Villanueva used intermediaries to send funds through Western Union to the ISIS-linked individuals abroad, asking whether the money would help “cover your equipment and your weapons.”
“Mr. Villanueva is alleged to have financially supported and pledged his allegiance to a terror group that targets the United States and our interests around the world,” said Patrick Grandy, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Thanks to the proactive efforts by the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the FBI and our partners safely arrested Mr. Villanueva today and prevented further support and spreading of ISIS ideology.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin S. Scott of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section, with assistance from Trial Attorney Patrick Cashman of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
Villanueva remains in federal custody pending further court proceedings. It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.