A Filipino lawful permanent resident in the United States has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges accusing him of sending money to the Islamic State and keeping a homemade explosive inside his residence, based on court records filed in Los Angeles.
Mark Villanueva, 29, is set to enter a guilty plea later this month in federal court in downtown Los Angeles to one count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors said the firearm charge stems from an improvised explosive device allegedly found in his home.
If the plea is accepted, Villanueva could face a prison sentence of up to 35 years. Court documents identify him as a citizen of the Philippines who holds a US green card.
According to filings, Villanueva communicated through social media with two individuals who claimed to be fighters for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Prosecutors allege that during these exchanges, he expressed interest in supporting the group financially and discussed sending money to help fund its operations.
In messages cited by the United States Department of Justice, Villanueva allegedly told one of the individuals that he wanted to fight for the group himself, writing, “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.”
Court papers also state that Villanueva told another contact that he possessed a bomb and knives. When he was arrested on August 1, 2025, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation recovered what appeared to be an improvised explosive device from his bedroom.
Prosecutors said Villanueva had a prior state conviction for stalking in September 2017, which made it illegal for him to possess a firearm or explosive device.
In a February 2025 message cited in the case, Villanueva allegedly offered to send money to one of the self-identified ISIS fighters and asked whether the funds would “cover your equipment and your weapons.” Investigators said he later arranged to send money through intermediaries.
According to records from Western Union, Villanueva sent roughly a dozen payments totaling $1,615 over a five month period to two intermediaries who accessed the funds overseas, prosecutors said.
“Supporting a terrorist group, whether at home or abroad, is a serious risk to our national security,” First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement issued at the time of Villanueva’s arrest. “We will aggressively hunt down and prosecute anyone who provides support or comfort to our enemies.”
