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A 28-year-old Filipino, who is a permanent resident in the United States, was arrested for allegedly sending money to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, and is facing a possible maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Hands grasp the bars in a jail cell in this undated photo. (Getty Images)
Identified as Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, the Filipino was charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, a felony offense that warrants a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
“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 posted on the US Department of Justice’s (DOJ) website last week.
“We will aggressively hunt down and prosecute anyone who provides support or comfort to our enemies,” he added.
According to Patrick Grandy, the acting assistant director in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Los Angeles Field Office, Villanueva is alleged not only to have financially supported ISIS, but also to have pledged his allegiance to the organization.
Based on an affidavit, the Filipino had been communicating via social media with two individuals who have identified themselves as ISIS fighters.
The communication between the two parties revealed that Villanueva expressed his desire to join ISIS, and even offered to send money to support their terrorist activities.
Western Union records also showed that he sent 12 payments totaling $1,615 in a five-month period to the two self-identified ISIS fighters.
The DOJ statement said that a message dated Feb. 2025 message showed Villanueva offering to send money, even asking if the amount would “cover your equipment and your weapons.”
He also told one of the ISIS fighters that he wanted to fight for the organization, adding that “It’s an honor to fight and die for our faith. It’s the best way to go to heaven.”
“Someday soon, I’ll be joining,” Villanueva added.
He also allegedly told one of the ISIS fighters that he has bomb and knives in his possession. Later, the FBI recovered what appeared to be a bomb in his bedroom during the arrest.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is currently investigating the case.
Villanueva was scheduled to make his initial appearance on Aug. 1 in the United States District Court in Los Angeles.
