Geline Salac

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

Generic thumbnail for jail. Jail thumbnail

Article (news)

THUMBNAIL-JAIL

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

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

World

Filipino in California arrested for allegedly sending money to ISIS

TJ Manotoc,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 05, 2025 08:24 AM PHT

|

Updated August 05, 2025 04:34 PM PHT

Read More:

ANC promo

Fil-Am

Long Beach

California

ISIS

terrorism

Mark Lorenzo Villanueva

Filipino-American

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.