A California man was arrested on suspicion of sending a dozen payments to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, telling a fighter that he would be joining the terrorist organization, federal investigators said.
Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, 28, of Long Beach was charged Friday with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Central District of California.
Villanueva sent 12 payments totaling $1,615 over a five-month period to two Islamic state intermediaries who accessed the funds overseas, according to an affidavit filed with the federal complaint, citing Western Union records.
Villanueva, a documented permanent U.S. resident from the Philippines, had asked a self-identified Islamic State fighter via social media whether the funds would “cover your equipment and your weapons,” the federal complaint says.
It’s an honor to fight and die for our faith. It’s the best way to go to heaven,” he told the self-identified fighter, the complaint says. “Someday soon, I’ll be joining.”
Villanueva told another self-identified Islamic State fighter that he possessed a bomb and knives, and the FBI recovered an apparent explosive device during a search of his bedroom, investigators said.
“Supporting a terrorist group, whether at home or abroad, is a serious risk to our national security,” said acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “We will aggressively hunt down and prosecute anyone who provides support or comfort to our enemies.”
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the allegations.