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3w ago

Long Beach Man Charged With Attempting to Fund ISIS After Apparent Bomb Seizure

After making his first federal court appearance, he faces up to 20 years in prison under charges of attempting to provide material support to ISIS.

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The FBI recovered an apparent explosive device during a search of Villanueva’s home, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Central District of California.
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Overview

  • FBI agents arrested 28-year-old Mark Lorenzo Villanueva on August 1 in Long Beach after recovering what appeared to be an explosive device from his bedroom.
  • A federal complaint alleges Villanueva sent 12 Western Union payments totaling $1,615 over five months to intermediaries who transferred the funds to self-identified ISIS fighters.
  • Prosecutors say the permanent resident from the Philippines communicated via social media with two purported ISIS members, pledging allegiance and offering to fight for the group.
  • He is charged with a felony count of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
  • The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force continues its investigation into potential additional contacts and financing channels linked to Villanueva’s activities.