California man sent funds to Islamic State terrorists, feds say: ‘I'll be joining'
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.'
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Truman aircraft carrier to conduct strikes against ISIS-Somalia positions on February 1, 2025. U.S. jets take off from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier to conduct strikes against ISIS-Somalia positions on February 1, 2025. U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs Threat to Homeland A number of U.S. officials have come to recognize the threat posed by ISIS and other Islamist militant groups in Africa. "Left unchecked, they will have a direct threat on the homeland," U.S. African Command (AFRICOM) commander General Michael Langley said in response to a senator's question on the issue during an April testimony referred to Newsweek by AFRICOM. Yet even as President Donald Trump's administration has entered into the diplomatic realm in ISIS-affected nations, brokering a peace deal between the DRC and neighboring Rwanda, the issue appears to receive comparatively less policy attention that other theaters. 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