FBI Arrests California Man For Sending Money To ISIS: ‘Someday Soon, I’ll Be Joining’

Last Updated:August 02, 2025, 23:47 IST

The FBI arrested Mark Lorenzo Villanueva in California for allegedly funding ISIS.

Villanueva is alleged to have financially supported and pledged his allegiance to a terror group. (X)

The FBI on Friday (local time) arrested a man in California for allegedly attempting to fund the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, a designated foreign terrorist organisation, according to the US Department of Justice.

As per the department’s statement, the arrested man, identified as 28-year-old Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, a permanent US resident from the Philippines, now faces up to 20 years in federal prison for attempting to provide material support to ISIS.

Investigators said Villanueva was in communication with two individuals who identified themselves as ISIS fighters via social media earlier this year.

In the conversations, Villanueva allegedly expressed his desire to support ISIS and offered to send money to aid the group’s activities.

“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," he texted as reported by CNN.

According to Western Union records cited by the DOJ, over five months, Villanueva sent 12 payments totaling $1,615 to two intermediaries who accessed the money overseas.

During the arrest, FBI agents recovered what appeared to be an explosive device in Villanueva’s bedroom, which they shared images of on the FBI’s official social media accounts.

“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," Patrick Grandy, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, said as reported by CNN.

Earlier this year, Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, a 19-year-old former member of the Michigan Army National Guard, was arrested after allegedly plotting a mass shooting at a military base in Michigan.

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...

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Los Angeles, United States of America (USA)

First Published:

August 02, 2025, 23:47 IST

News world FBI Arrests California Man For Sending Money To ISIS: ‘Someday Soon, I’ll Be Joining’

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