Source: Office of United States Attorneys
LOS ANGELES – A Long Beach man was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint alleging he sent a dozen payments to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, 28, is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, a felony offense that carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Villanueva, who is a lawful permanent resident from the Philippines, is scheduled to make his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles.
“Supporting a terrorist group, whether at home or abroad, is a serious risk to our national security,” said Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “We will aggressively hunt down and prosecute anyone who provides support or comfort to our enemies.”
“Mr. Villanueva is alleged to have financially supported and pledged his allegiance to a terror group that targets the United States and our interests around the world,” said Patrick Grandy, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Thanks to the proactive efforts by the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the FBI and our partners safely arrested Mr. Villanueva today and prevented further support and spreading of ISIS ideology.”
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Villanueva communicated via social media with two individuals who self-identified as ISIS fighters. During these communications, Villanueva discussed his desire to support ISIS, and offered to send money to the ISIS fighters to support their terrorist activities.
Villanueva told one of the self-identified ISIS fighters that Villanueva wanted to fight for ISIS himself, stating, “It’s an honor to fight and die for our faith. It’s the best way to go to heaven.” Villanueva also stated, “Someday soon, I’ll be joining.” Villanueva told the other individual that Villanueva possessed a bomb and knives. According to prosecutors, during Villanueva’s arrest this morning, the FBI recovered what appeared to be a bomb from Villanueva’s bedroom.
In a February 2025 message with one of the self-identified ISIS fighters, Villanueva offered to send the individual money, and asked whether the money would “cover your equipment and your weapons.” Villanueva discussed sending the money through an intermediary.
According to Western Union records, Villanueva then sent 12 payments totaling $1,615 during a five-month period to two intermediaries who accessed the money overseas.
A complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Colin S. Scott of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section is prosecuting this case, with substantial assistance from Trial Attorney Patrick Cashman of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.