A man from Southern California admitted to federal terrorism charges on Tuesday, as confirmed by the Department of Justice. This admission comes after he was found to have funneled money to ISIS fighters and accumulated materials to create a homemade bomb.
Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, aged 29, confessed to a charge of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and another charge for possessing a firearm as a felon. He has been in federal custody since his arrest in August 2025.
As outlined in his plea deal, Villanueva initiated contact in February 2025 via social media with someone who purported to be an ISIS combatant residing in Syria. This individual provided Villanueva with guidance on how to transfer funds overseas.
Prosecutors have revealed that Villanueva sent over $1,600 across various transactions, believing that the money would be utilized to buy weapons, ammunition, and other resources to bolster ISIS activities. He also engaged in discussions about executing operations for ISIS within the United States.
Federal prosecutors have reported that Villanueva, hailing from Long Beach, has pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to supply material support to a foreign terrorist group. (@USAttyEssayli)
“Mr. Villanueva is accused of financially backing and swearing loyalty to a terrorist organization that targets the United States and its global interests,” stated Patrick Grandy, Acting Assistant Director of the FBI in Los Angeles, in a prior statement. He acknowledged the efforts of the Joint Terrorism Task Force in thwarting additional support for ISIS.
Court records show Villanueva communicated with two individuals who self-identified as ISIS fighters, repeatedly expressing his desire to fight for the terrorist group himself.
“It’s an honor to fight and die for our faith. It’s the best way to go to heaven,” Villanueva allegedly wrote. “Someday soon, I’ll be joining.”
Mark Lorenzo Villanueva admitted attempting to provide material support to ISIS. (FBI Los Angeles)
Villanueva also told one of the ISIS contacts that he possessed a bomb and knives. When FBI agents searched his Long Beach home in August 2025, they recovered a homemade explosive packed with ball bearings, nails, screws and other metal fragments from his bedroom.
Prosecutors said Villanueva knew the device qualified as a firearm and destructive device under federal law and that it was not registered. At the time, he was legally prohibited from possessing guns due to a prior felony stalking conviction in Los Angeles Superior Court in 2017.
Western Union records show Villanueva sent 12 payments totaling $1,615 to overseas intermediaries over a five-month period.
The FBI arrested Mark Lorenzo Villanueva for attempting to provide material support to ISIS. (FBI Los Angeles)
Villanueva faces up to 20 years in federal prison for attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization and up to 15 years for the gun charge. U.S. District Judge Anne Hwang scheduled his sentencing for June 17.
“Supporting a terrorist group, whether at home or abroad, is a serious risk to our national security,” acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said. “We will aggressively hunt down and prosecute anyone who provides support or comfort to our enemies.”
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated the case.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
