A man from Southern California has admitted to federal terrorism charges after channeling funds to ISIS fighters and amassing a homemade explosive device, as stated by the Justice Department on Tuesday.

Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, aged 29, confessed to one charge of attempting to supply material support to a foreign terrorist group and another charge for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He has been held in federal detention since his capture in August 2025.

The plea agreement reveals that Villanueva started communicating in February 2025 via social media with someone claiming to be an ISIS combatant residing in Syria. This individual provided guidance on transferring money abroad.

According to federal prosecutors, Villanueva sent over $1,600 across several months, believing the money would be utilized to buy weapons, ammunition, and other resources for ISIS operations. He also talked about executing operations for ISIS within the United States.

A booking photo of Mark Lorenzo Villanueva was released by federal prosecutors. Villanueva, hailing from Long Beach, admitted guilt to the charge of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. (@USAttyEssayli)

“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,” Acting FBI Los Angeles Assistant Director Patrick Grandy said in a previous statement, crediting the Joint Terrorism Task Force with preventing further support for ISIS.

Court records show Villanueva communicated with two individuals who self-identified as ISIS fighters, repeatedly expressing his desire to fight for the terrorist group himself.

“It’s an honor to fight and die for our faith. It’s the best way to go to heaven,” Villanueva allegedly wrote. “Someday soon, I’ll be joining.”

Mark Lorenzo Villanueva admitted attempting to provide material support to ISIS. (FBI Los Angeles)

Villanueva also told one of the ISIS contacts that he possessed a bomb and knives. When FBI agents searched his Long Beach home in August 2025, they recovered a homemade explosive packed with ball bearings, nails, screws and other metal fragments from his bedroom.

Prosecutors said Villanueva knew the device qualified as a firearm and destructive device under federal law and that it was not registered. At the time, he was legally prohibited from possessing guns due to a prior felony stalking conviction in Los Angeles Superior Court in 2017.

Western Union records show Villanueva sent 12 payments totaling $1,615 to overseas intermediaries over a five-month period.

The FBI arrested Mark Lorenzo Villanueva for attempting to provide material support to ISIS. (FBI Los Angeles)

Villanueva faces up to 20 years in federal prison for attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization and up to 15 years for the gun charge. U.S. District Judge Anne Hwang scheduled his sentencing for June 17.

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

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated the case.

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.