Overview

• Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, 28, was arrested on August 1 by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS, a felony carrying up to 20 years in prison.
• Agents recovered what appeared to be an explosive device from his Long Beach bedroom after he allegedly told self-identified ISIS fighters that he possessed a bomb and knives.
• Court documents state that Villanueva began messaging two individuals claiming to be ISIS fighters in February, expressing a desire to fight, die for the cause, and join their ranks.
• Western Union records show he sent 12 payments totaling $1,615 over five months to intermediaries who funneled the funds overseas to the purported fighters.
• A lawful permanent resident originally from the Philippines, Villanueva is scheduled for an initial court appearance in Los Angeles as the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force continues its investigation.