UPDATE: A 28-year-old man was arrested on July 14, 2023, in Long Beach, California, for allegedly sending funds to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, a permanent US resident originally from the Philippines, now faces up to 20 years in federal prison for attempting to provide material support to ISIS, confirmed the Department of Justice (DOJ).
According to officials, Villanueva communicated with individuals he believed to be ISIS fighters via social media earlier this year. In these conversations, he allegedly expressed a strong desire to support ISIS and offered to finance its activities. “It’s an honor to fight and die for our faith. It’s the best way to go to heaven,” Villanueva reportedly wrote. “Someday soon, I’ll be joining.”
Over a five-month span, Villanueva sent a total of $1,615 through Western Union to two intermediaries who transferred the money overseas. The FBI recovered what appeared to be a bomb from his residence during the arrest, as detailed in photos shared on the FBI’s official social media accounts.
“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,” stated Patrick Grandy, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.
This arrest follows a broader investigation into domestic terror threats. Earlier in 2023, authorities apprehended Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, a 19-year-old former member of the Michigan Army National Guard, who allegedly planned a mass shooting at a US military base in Michigan on behalf of ISIS. Said was arrested on the day of the planned attack after he launched a drone near the base and was charged with multiple terror-related offenses.
These developments underscore the growing concern about domestic individuals engaging with terrorist organizations and the critical need for vigilance in combating such threats. As investigations continue, authorities are urging the public to remain aware of suspicious activities and report any concerns.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
