A resident of Long Beach, California, was arrested on March 15, 2024, for allegedly sending funds to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. According to the Department of Justice, Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, 28, faces serious charges that could lead to a prison sentence of up to 20 years for attempting to provide material support to ISIS.
Authorities claim that Villanueva, a permanent US resident originally from the Philippines, was in communication with individuals he believed to be ISIS fighters through social media earlier this year. In these exchanges, he allegedly expressed a strong desire to support the organization and offered to send money to assist its activities.
During his communications, Villanueva reportedly wrote, “It’s an honor to fight and die for our faith. It’s the best way to go to heaven. Someday soon, I’ll be joining.” Over a five-month period, he sent a total of $1,615 in 12 payments to two intermediaries who accessed the funds overseas, as documented by Western Union records cited by the DOJ.
Discovery of Suspicious Materials
Upon his arrest, the FBI reportedly found what appeared to be a bomb in Villanueva’s bedroom, as shown in photos released on the FBI’s official Facebook and X accounts. Patrick Grandy, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, stated, “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.”
This arrest follows a similar incident earlier this year involving Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, a 19-year-old former member of the Michigan Army National Guard. Said was apprehended after allegedly planning a mass shooting at a US military base in Michigan on behalf of ISIS. He was arrested on the day he intended to carry out the attack, having visited the vicinity of the military installation and launched a drone in support of his plan.
According to the Justice Department, Said had intended to attack the Army’s Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, located in a suburb of Detroit. He allegedly offered to assist undercover law enforcement officers in executing the attack by training them in the use of firearms and creating Molotov cocktails, alongside providing armor-piercing ammunition and magazines.
Said was charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and distributing information related to a destructive device.
The arrests highlight ongoing concerns regarding domestic terrorism and the potential for individuals to provide financial support to extremist organizations. Both cases underscore the challenges law enforcement faces in monitoring and preventing the activities of individuals who may seek to align themselves with groups like ISIS.