FBI arrests man in California for allegedly attempting to provide financial support to ISIS; explosives seized

Federal agents arrested a man in California for allegations that he sent a dozen payments to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the FBI Los Angeles announced on Friday.

Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, 28, is accused of having attempted to provide material support for a foreign terrorist organization, a criminal offense which carries a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years behind bars.

Villanueva, residing in Long Beach, is a legal permanent resident of the Philippines, according to the American prosecutor’s office for the California central district.

“Villanueva would have supported financially and promised his allegiance to a terrorist group who targets the United States and our interests around the world,” said Deputy Director of the FBI.

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Mark Lorenzo Villanueva was accused of having tried to provide material support for the Islamic State. (FBI Los Angeles)

“Thanks to the proactive efforts of the joint working group on terrorism, the FBI and our partners have securely arrested Mr. Villanueva today and prevented the support and propagation of the ideology of the Islamic State,” he continued.

According to an affidavit, Villanueva used social media to speak with two people who identified themselves as Islamic State fighters. During their conversations, Villanueva discussed his desire to support the Islamic State and proposed to send money to the fighters of the terrorist group to support their activities.

Villanueva would have told one of the self-Isis fighters that he wanted to fight for the Islamic State itself.

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FBI agents arrested Mark Lorenzo Villanueva for allegedly sent a dozen payments to Isis. (FBI Los Angeles)

“It is an honor to fight and die for our faith. It is the best way to go to paradise,” he said at some point.

“One day soon, I’m going to join,” he also said.

Villanueva told the other fighter that he had a bomb and knives. The FBI recovered what seemed to be a bomb of Villanueva’s room when it was arrested on Friday morning.

In February, Villanueva proposed to send money to one of the Islamic State fighters and asked if the money “would cover your equipment and your weapons”. He also discussed the shipment of money through an intermediary.

Mark Lorenzo Villanueva would have said to one of the self-Isiti fighters that he wanted to fight for the Islamic State itself. (Reuters / Mary F. Calvert)

According to Western Union Records, Villanueva sent 12 payments totaling $ 1,615 in five months to two intermediaries who have reached money abroad.

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“Supporting a terrorist group, whether in the country or abroad, is a serious risk to our national security,” the American lawyer said for the California central district Bill Essayli. “We will track down aggressively and pursue anyone who provides support or comfort to our enemies.”