Long Beach Man Pleads Guilty to Aiding ISIS, Possessing Explosive

The 29-year-old lawful permanent resident faces up to 35 years in prison for his crimes.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 7:07pm

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A 29-year-old Long Beach man named Mark Villanueva has pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to the terrorist organization ISIS and being a felon in possession of a homemade bomb found in his home. Villanueva communicated with self-identified ISIS fighters over social media and sent them over $1,600 in payments over a five-month period.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing threat of domestic terrorism and the challenges law enforcement faces in identifying and stopping individuals who seek to support foreign terrorist organizations. Villanueva's guilty plea and potential lengthy prison sentence serve as a warning to others who may be considering similar actions.

The details

According to court documents, Villanueva discussed his desire to fight for ISIS and possessed an improvised explosive device that was recovered by the FBI during his arrest in August 2025. Villanueva was previously convicted of stalking in state court. He communicated with two individuals over social media who claimed to be ISIS fighters, and sent them over $1,600 in payments through intermediaries over a five-month period.

  • Villanueva pleaded guilty on January 27, 2026.
  • Villanueva is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17, 2026.
  • Villanueva was arrested on August 1, 2025.

The players

Mark Villanueva

A 29-year-old lawful permanent resident from the Philippines who pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to ISIS and being a felon in possession of a homemade bomb.

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal agency that prosecuted Villanueva and announced his guilty plea.

Bill Essayli

The First Assistant U.S. Attorney who stated that supporting terrorist groups is a serious threat to national security.

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What they’re saying

“Supporting a terrorist group, whether at home or abroad, is a serious risk to our national security. We will aggressively hunt down and prosecute anyone who provides support or comfort to our enemies.”

— Bill Essayli, First Assistant U.S. Attorney (U.S. Department of Justice)

What’s next

The judge will decide on June 17, 2026 whether to sentence Villanueva to up to 35 years in prison for his crimes.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the ongoing threat of domestic terrorism and the importance of law enforcement vigilance in identifying and stopping individuals who seek to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS, even if they are located within the United States.