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Fil-Am in California arrested for allegedly sending money to ISIS

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TJ Manotoc

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754359467347cropped-photo-collage.png.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The FBI&#x27;s Joint Terrorism Task Force recovered a bomb from the residence of a Long Beach man charged with attempting to provide material support for a foreign terrorist organization. <em>US Attorney&#x27;s Office for the Central District of California/X</em></span></span></span></div><p>LOS ANGELES <strong>(UPDATE) </strong>— A Filipino green card holder was arrested in Long Beach, California on Friday for allegedly sending financial support to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/video/news/05/24/17/after-marawi-attack-army-insists-ph-still-safe-from-isis">After Marawi attack, Army insists PH still safe from ISIS</a></div><p>Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, 28, is facing federal charges of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist group. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.</p><p>Villanueva was scheduled to appear for the first time before the US District Court in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.</p><p>“Supporting a terrorist group, whether at home or abroad, is a serious risk to our national security,” said Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli in a statement. “We will aggressively hunt down and prosecute anyone who provides support or comfort to our enemies.”</p><p>According to a <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/long-beach-man-arrested-federal-criminal-complaint-charging-him-sending-dozen-payments">press release from the US Department of Justice</a>, Villanueva allegedly sent 12 payments totaling $1,615 in over five months through Western Union to two intermediaries believed to be affiliated with ISIS fighters overseas.</p><p>FBI investigators said Villanueva communicated on social media with two individuals claiming to be ISIS fighters. In their conversations, Villanueva reportedly expressed a desire to join the group, saying, “It’s an honor to fight and die for our faith. It’s the best way to go to heaven.”</p><p>He also claimed to possess a bomb and knives. During his arrest, FBI agents reportedly found what appeared to be a bomb in his bedroom.</p><p>“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, acting assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.</p><p>The case is being prosecuted by the US Attorney&#x27;s Office for the Central District of California, in coordination with the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.</p><p>Authorities emphasize that a criminal complaint contains allegations and that Villanueva, like all defendants, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aRnpav1pLvI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V0gUY87bAZA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p><i>A Filipino green card holder was arrested in Long Beach, California for allegedly sending financial support to ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization.</i></p>

A Filipino green card holder was arrested in Long Beach, California for allegedly sending financial support to ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Filipino in California arrested for allegedly sending money to ISIS

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Filipino in California arrested for allegedly sending money to ISIS

TJ Manotoc,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 05, 2025 08:24 AM PHT

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Updated Aug 05, 2025 04:34 PM PHT

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Fil-Am

Long Beach

California

ISIS

terrorism

Mark Lorenzo Villanueva

Filipino-American

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