FBI Recovers Bomb in Home of Alleged ISIS Supporter in Long Beach

FBI Raid and Discovery

• FBI agents raided the home of Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, a 28-year-old legal permanent resident in Long Beach.
• During the search on Friday, agents discovered what appeared to be a homemade bomb in his bedroom.

Allegations of ISIS Support

• Prosecutors allege Villanueva, who is from the Philippines, not only sympathized with ISIS but actively supported the terrorist group.
• Social media posts allegedly show Villanueva pledging allegiance to individuals claiming to be ISIS fighters.
• He reportedly told purported ISIS fighters that it is an honor to fight and die for their faith, viewing it as the best way to go to heaven.

Financial and Material Support

• Court records indicate that over a five-month period, Villanueva allegedly wired more than $1,600 overseas.
• This money was intended to pay for weapons and equipment for ISIS.
• Agents also found knives and the aforementioned homemade bomb, which was reportedly loaded with ball bearings.

Community and Threat Assessment

• Neighbors described Villanueva as someone who blended in and had no known criminal record, making the discovery particularly disturbing.
• Authorities emphasize that the threat of terrorism from violent extremists with radical views has not gone away and can originate domestically.
• Villanueva made his first court appearance on Monday.