"Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, 29, pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office Central District of California news release. Villanueva has been in custody since August. According to his plea agreement, Villanueva began messaging a person claiming to be an ISIS fighter living in Syria since February. The person told Villanueva how to send money to him overseas."
"Villanueva allegedly sent more than $1,600 knowing it would be spent on ammunition, weapons, and other supplies, authorities said. Villanueva also discussed conducting ISIS operations in the U.S. Law enforcement searched Villanueva's home in August and found a homemade bomb with large amounts of ball bearings and other objects, including nails, screws, and nuts, according to the release. The device was not federally registered as required by law."
"At the time Villanueva had the bomb, he had been convicted of felony stalking in September 2017 and was prohibited from possessing any firearm, according to the release. Villanueva is scheduled to be sentenced June 17 and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for trying to provide material support to a federal terrorist organization, and up to 15 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the release."
Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, 29, pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and to being a felon in possession of a firearm. He messaged a person claiming to be an ISIS fighter in Syria and was instructed how to send money overseas. Villanueva sent more than $1,600 knowing it would be spent on ammunition, weapons, and supplies, and discussed conducting ISIS operations in the United States. A search of his home in August uncovered a homemade bomb loaded with ball bearings, nails, screws, and nuts; the device was not federally registered. Villanueva had a 2017 felony stalking conviction and was in custody; sentencing is scheduled for June 17, with potential penalties of up to 20 years and 15 years on the respective counts.
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