Army Veteran Who Converted to Islam, Busted Plotting Terror Attack in Retaliation For New Zealand Mosque Massacre

The FBI thwarted a terrorist plot by an Army veteran who converted to Islam and planned to bomb a ‘Nazi rally’ in Southern California in retaliation for the New Zealand mosque massacre.

Mark Steven Domingo, 26, a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan, was arrested by the feds on Friday as he was finalizing plans to plant a nail bomb near a ‘Nazi rally’ scheduled for Sunday in Long Beach.

According to the Justice Department, Domingo was arrested Friday night after he received what he thought was a live bomb, but it was an inert explosive device delivered by an undercover FBI informant as part of a sting operation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Domingo was charged with providing material support to terrorists.

According to a criminal complaint filed on April 27th, and unsealed Monday, Domingo had been planning the terrorist attack since March to “manufacture and use a weapon of mass destruction in order to commit mass murder.”

“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,” said Assistant Attorney General 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.”

“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 U.S. Attorney 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.”

“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,” said Assistant Director Michael McGarrity of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division.  “This case should remind the public of the need to be vigilant and notify law enforcement if you see suspicious behavior.”

Domingo expressed his support for ISIS, violent jihad, and a desire to become a martyr for Islam in online posts and in conversations with FBI informants.

Court papers revealed Domingo discussed with an informant attacking Jews, Christians, churches and police officers and bought 3 inch nails to build an improvised explosive device (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.

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Cristina began writing for The Gateway Pundit in 2016 and she is now the Associate Editor.

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