April 29, 2019 – In Breaking News – ABC News
Mark Steven Domingo, 26, of Reseda, was arrested Friday night after he received what he thought were live bombs, but in fact were inert explosive explosive devices delivered by an undercover law enforcement officer as part of an investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).
Domingo, a former U.S. Army infantryman with combat experience in Afghanistan, faces federal charges in a terrorist plot in which he planned to detonate an improvised explosive device (IED) for the purpose of causing mass casualties.
(Mark Steven Domingo allegedly sought to detonate an IED at a packed white nationalist rally in California and kill counter-protesters including Jews and police officers, authorities said. Courtesy of ABC News and YouTube. Posted on Apr 29, 2019.)
In a criminal complaint unsealed on Monday, Domingo, who has been in federal custody since his arrest, was charged with providing and attempting to provide material support to terrorists.
According to a 30-page affidavit in support of the complaint, since early March, Domingo “planned and took steps to manufacture and use a weapon of mass destruction in order to commit mass murder.”
“This investigation successfully disrupted a very real threat posed by a trained combat soldier who repeatedly stated he wanted to cause the maximum number of casualties,” said United States Attorney Nick Hanna.
“Protecting Americans from terror attacks is the number one priority of the Justice Department, and anyone who plots to use a weapon of mass destruction will be held to account.”
“I’m extremely glad to be announcing that we interdicted a potential terrorist attack, rather than outlining the FBI’s response to yet another tragedy,” added Paul Delacourt, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.
“At no time was the public in danger and there is currently no known threat to public safety.”
“I’m very proud of the agents and officers assigned to the Joint Terrorism Task Force who diligently marshaled the resources of our law enforcement partners in a short period of time and in doing so, ensured the safety of Southern California residents.”
“I can tell you, unequivocally, that this partnership, coupled with our ability to be nimble, ultimately resulted in dozens of innocent lives being saved in Southern California,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Michel R. Moore.
Domingo expressed support for violent jihad, a desire to seek retribution for attacks against Muslims, and a willingness to become a martyr, in online posts and in conversations with an FBI source, according to the affidavit.
After considering various attacks, including targeting Jews, churches, and police officers, Domingo made the decision to detonate an IED at a rally scheduled to take place in Long Beach this past weekend.
Domingo asked his confederate, who was actually cooperating with the FBI, to find a bomb-maker as part of the plot, and Domingo purchased several hundred nails to be used as shrapnel inside the IED last week.
“Domingo said he specifically bought three-inch nails because they would be long enough to penetrate the human body and puncture internal organs,” the affidavit states.
After Domingo provided the nails to the undercover operative for use in the construction of the bomb, Domingo sent a message on Thursday indicating that the operation was to proceed, according to the affidavit.
On Friday evening, the undercover operative delivered multiple inert explosive devices, which Domingo believed were weapons of mass destruction.
After inspecting the devices and traveling to a park in Long Beach to surveil the location of the planned attack, Domingo was taken into custody.
@USAttyHanna and @FBILosAngeles @LAPDHQ @LBPD @LASDHQ and NCIS announce arrest of San Fernando Valley man in terror plot to detonate explosive device to kill innocent people. pic.twitter.com/EMBSWy9VwY
— US Attorney L.A. (@USAO_LosAngeles) April 29, 2019
According to the criminal complaint, Domingo posted an online video professing his Muslim faith on March 2, and the next day made another posting in which he said “America needs another vegas event” (referring to the October 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada) that would give “them a taste of the terror they gladly spread all over the world.”
Following an attack on a mosque in New Zealand on March 13, Domingo posted, “there must be retribution.”
Authorities: Army veteran Mark Steven Domingo allegedly planned to kill Americans in terror attack as retribution for terror attack in New Zealand #ABCNews pic.twitter.com/TAk78GyOt5
— Will Carr (@WillCarr) April 29, 2019
In response to the postings, an FBI “confidential human source” (CHS) began an online conversation which resulted in a series of in-person meetings with Domingo.
During the first meeting, which took place on March 18, “Domingo discussed with the CHS different targets for an attack, including Jews, police officers, churches, and a military facility,” according to the affidavit.
Domingo continued to express his desire to commit a terrorist act, at points contemplating a drive-by shooting with a modified AK-47-style rifle he owned, and at other points considering the use of an IED, during additional meetings as outlined in the affidavit.
During an April 3 meeting, Domingo allegedly expressed support for ISIS and said “if ISIS ‘came here,’ he would swear allegiance to ISIS.”
(CBS2’s Reena Roy has the latest on the California Army vet accused of plotting terrorist attacks against a white nationalist rally, churches, and police. Courtesy of CBS News and YouTube. Posted on Apr 29, 2019.)
The plan to target the rally took shape during an April 19 meeting, when Domingo arrived to a meeting with the CHS armed with an AK-47-style rifle “to show you that I’m serious,” according to the complaint.
During that meeting, Domingo referenced the Boston Marathon bombing and asked the CHS to find a person to construct an IED that he said could cause 50 casualties.
During several of the meetings, Domingo urged the CHS to maintain secrecy, stating what they were discussing were “federal charges” and “We broke federal law,” according to the complaint.
“Domingo, a former U.S. Army Infantryman, wanted to use improvised explosive devices against innocent civilians and he selected components that would make the bombs even more deadly to the victims he targeted,” added Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers.
“His arrest today mitigates the threat he posed to others in the Los Angeles community.”
“I want to thank the agents, analysts, and prosecutors who are responsible for this investigation and arrest.”
“The individual charged in this case wanted to carry out a mass casualty attack with explosive devices, and he moved very quickly from talking about violence to mobilizing to commit such an attack,” comment Assistant Director Michael McGarrity of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Section.
“This case should remind the public of the need to be vigilant and notify law enforcement if you see suspicious behavior.”
“We strongly value the interagency cooperation and information sharing that occurs on a daily basis regarding potential threats to our region,” stated Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna.
“I want to thank all of our partner agencies for their dedicated efforts on this extensive investigation and for ensuring that the City of Long Beach was not impacted by a significant act of senseless violence.”
A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted of the charge of providing and attempting to provide material support to terrorists, Domingo would face a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes special agents with the FBI and officers with the Los Angeles Police Department.
JTTF members who participated in the investigation include the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Long Beach Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Reema M. El-Amamy and David T. Ryan of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section.
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