A Filipino green card holder was arrested on August 1 on a federal criminal complaint for allegedly sending a dozen payments to suspected members of a foreign terrorist organization.
According to the press release by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the man, identified as Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, 28, was charged with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The felony offense carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Villanueva was scheduled to make his initial appearance before the United States District Court in Los Angeles on Monday, August 4.
According to the acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, supporting a terrorist group, whether at home or abroad, poses a serious risk to national security. Essayli vowed to aggressively hunt down and prosecute anyone who provides support or comfort to their 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.”
The Central District of California’s Attorney’s Office mentioned that Villanueva had previously expressed wanting to fight for ISIS, stating, “It’s an honor to fight and die for our faith.”
During Villanueva’s arrest, the FBI recovered what appeared to be a bomb from his bedroom. Moreover, the former had offered to send one of the self-identified ISIS fighters money in February 2025. The suspect also asked whether the money would cover their equipment and weapons.
Western Union records showed that Villanueva sent 12 payments total, worth $1,615 for five months, to two intermediaries who accessed the money overseas.
