Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, a 28-year-old lawful permanent resident from the Philippines living in Long Beach, California, was arrested Friday for allegedly sending dozens of payments for weapons and equipment to a terrorist organization.
He is charged with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, according to the Department of Justice.
Court documents allege Villanueva sent 12 payments totaling $1,615 over five months to intermediaries who accessed the funds overseas, intended for suspected ISIS fighters.
“Supporting a terrorist group, whether at home or abroad, is a serious risk to our national security,” Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement. “We will aggressively hunt down and prosecute anyone who provides support or comfort to our enemies.”
Prosecutors allege that during Villanueva’s arrest, the FBI found what seemed to be a bomb in his bedroom. Images posted to Essayli’s X account appear to show an alleged Improvised Explosive Device (IED) recovered in Villanueva’s home.
Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, 28, of Long Beach, was arrested this morning on a federal complaint charging him with sending a dozen payments totaling more than $1,600 to ISIS, a foreign terrorist organization responsible for countless deaths across multiple continents.
During the… pic.twitter.com/w4bIp8ggnM
— Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) August 1, 2025
READ MORE: 49 Killed in Africa in Attack on Church – ISIS Affiliate Claims Responsibility
Indeed, Villanueva expressed, according to the press release, to have a bomb and knives to one of the intermediaries. He also allegedly stated a desire to progress from providing material support to ISIS to actually fighting on behalf of the terror organization.
“It’s an honor to fight and die for our faith. It’s the best way to go to heaven.” Villanueva stated, according to authorities. “Someday soon, I’ll be joining.”
Members of the FBI’s #JTTF assisted by FBI #SWAT arrested Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, 28, of #LongBeach, early this morning for attempting to provide material support to ISIS, a designated foreign #terrorist organization. Evidence of explosives were recovered during today’s search. pic.twitter.com/8YAbvuZKoU
— FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) August 1, 2025
Patrick Grandy, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, praised the bureau’s actions in thwarting Villanueva’s efforts to spread “ISIS ideology.”
“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 Grandy. “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.”
Villanueva faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison if convicted. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Colin S. Scott, with assistance from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
RedState will continue to provide updates on this case as they are warranted.
Editor’s Note: Do you enjoy RedState’s conservative reporting that takes on the radical left and woke media? Support our work so that we can continue to bring you the truth.
Join RedState VIP and use the promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your VIP membership!
