Overview

• Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, 28, was arrested on August 1 in Long Beach and charged with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
• Federal investigators linked 12 Western Union transfers totaling $1,615 sent over five months to self-identified ISIS fighters.
• Prosecutors cite social media chats in which Villanueva described martyrdom as “the best way to go to heaven” and vowed “someday soon, I’ll be joining” the group.
• FBI agents discovered an apparent explosive device in Villanueva’s bedroom during his arrest.
• Villanueva remains detained without bail pending a September federal hearing as prosecutors probe additional contacts and financing channels.