...Mark Steven Domingo, 26, of Reseda, 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.
In a criminal complaint filed Saturday by federal prosecutors and unsealed earlier today, Domingo was charged with providing and attempting to provide material support to terrorists. Domingo, who has been in federal custody since his arrest, is expected to make his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court.
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."
...In online posts and in conversations with an FBI source, Domingo expressed support for violent jihad, a desire to seek retribution for attacks against Muslims, and a willingness to become a martyr, according to the affidavit. After considering various attacks -- including targeting Jews, churches, and police officers -- Domingo decided to detonate an IED at a rally scheduled to take place in Long Beach this past weekend. As part of the plot, Domingo asked his confederate -- who actually was cooperating with the FBI as part of the investigation -- to find a bomb-maker, and Domingo last week purchased several hundred nails to be used as shrapnel inside the IED.
"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 devices, which Domingo believed were weapons of mass destruction. After inspecting the devices and travelling to a park in Long Beach to surveil the location of the planned attack, Domingo was taken into custody.
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."
In response to the postings, an FBI "confidential human source" (CHS) began an online conversation that resulted in a series of in-person meetings with Domingo. During the first meeting, 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.
During subsequent meetings outlined in 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 an April 3 meeting, Domingo allegedly expressed support for ISIS and said "if ISIS 'came here,' he would swear allegiance to ISIS," according to the complaint.
The plan to target the rally came into 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.
"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."
... 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. [end DOJ text]
Following the federal announcement, the City of Long Beach (through the City Manager's office) issued a statement, in pertinent part:
On Sunday, April 28, 2019, commencing at 10 a.m., a protest took place at Bluff Park in Long Beach, California. Weeks prior, a rally had been advertised at that location and associated with the United Patriots National Front (UPNF). The protest originated to counter the ideology of the UPNF. Members of the UPNF did not show up at the location, however approximately 200 counter-protesters were present.
To protect the safety of the community and everyone’s constitutional rights, the protest was heavily monitored by the Long Beach Police Department, and it concluded peacefully.
Leading up to event, the LBPD worked closely with regional and federal partners to review and assess information related to the event.
On Friday evening, April 26, 2019, in advance of the event, law enforcement arrested an individual who intended to commit an act of violence at the event. After the arrest, there was no indication that attendees of Sunday’s event were at risk. However, LBPD, along with law enforcement partners, continued to monitor the situation throughout the day.
The LBPD continually works with partner law enforcement agencies, including federal agencies, during special events and throughout the year. The City of Long Beach expresses sincere gratitude to the United States Attorney’s Office, the Joint Terrorism Task Force which includes local and federal partners, and our Police Department, for their important collaborative work that kept, and continues to keep, our diverse community safe...
"Due to the ongoing and close coordination with our outside partners, and the contingency plans that were developed, we were confident that the safety of our community members was never compromised," said Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna.
