Los Angeles Terrorist Attacks Thwarted, Army Veteran Arrested

LOS ANGELES, CA — Federal authorities disrupted a major domestic terrorist plot targeting freeways, tourist attractions and political rallies around Southern California, the Department of Justice announced. One man, an active U.S. Army infantryman and combat veteran from Reseda, has been arrested.

Mark Steven Domingo, a 26-year-old former U.S. Army infantryman with combat experience in Afghanistan, faces federal charges in a terrorist plot to detonate a bomb, causing mass casualties. Federal authorities alleged he was an ISIS sympathizer intent on mass murder by targeting Jews, police, Los Angeles freeways, political rallies and tourist destinations.

"Sometimes we get asked what keeps you up at night," said Ryan Young, special agent in charge of the case. "This is a case that keeps us up at night."

Domingo was arrested Friday night after he received what he thought was a live bomb, but, in fact, was an inert explosive device delivered by an undercover law enforcement officer as part of an investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Department of Justice announced Monday. He allegedly intended to kill as many people as possible at a white nationalist rally in Long Beach over the weekend. Ultimately, the white nationalists canceled their rally, but dozens of counter protesters showed up to denounce racism.

“In short this is a case in which law enforcement was able to identify a man consumed with hate and bent on mass murder and stop him before he could carry out his attack. Never-the-less, the criminal case outlines a chilling terrorism plot that developed over the past two month and targeted innocent Americans that he expected to gather this past weekend,” said Nick Hanna, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California. “At times, Mr. Domingo said he wanted to kill Jews as they walked to synagogue. At other times he said he wanted to kill and target police officers, attack a military facility or attack crowds at the Santa Monica Pier. He even wanted to murder a neighbor, which he said could serve as prelude to a much larger attack.”

Domingo allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS and was placed under surveillance after posting online rants about the killings of Muslims in New Zealand mosques.

Though agents had been monitoring Domingo for months, they decided to arrest him Friday because he seemed ready to act.

"He also talked about pulling up to a police car and shooting, assassinating a police officer, and he had the guns to do it," Hanna said.

“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,” added 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.”

In online posts and in conversations with an FBI source, Domingo advocated for violent jihad to seek retribution for attacks against Muslims and expressed a willingness to become a martyr, according to the affidavit. After considering various attacks targeting Jews, churches, and police officers, Domingo decided to detonate a bomb at the rally scheduled to take place in Long Beach this past weekend, federal prosecutors allege. As part of the plot, Domingo asked an FBI cooperator to find a bomb-maker, and Domingo last week purchased several hundred nails to be used as shrapnel inside the IED, according to federal authorities.

“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 providing nails to an undercover operative for use in the construction of the bomb, Domingo sent a message on Thursday indicating that the attack was to proceed, according to the affidavit. On Friday evening, the undercover operative delivered multiple inert devices, which Domingo allegedly 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, authorities said.

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 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas) that would give “them a taste of the terror they gladly spread all over the world.” He also allegedly called for retribution following an attack on a mosque in New Zealand in March.

Domingo allegedly met with an informant several times and discussed plans to attack Jews, police officers, churches, and a military facility. At points, he discussed a drive-by shooting with a modified AK-47-style rifle he owned, and at other points considering the use of an IED, the affidavit alleges. Investigators conficscicated several guns, including an automatic assault rifle and several rounds of ammunition, prosecutors allege.

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.

“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 for National Security John C. Demers. “His arrest (Friday) 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 terror plot, and the counterintelligence investigation proceeded at lighting speed, officials said.

“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 Section. “This case should remind the public of the need to be vigilant and notify law enforcement if you see suspicious behavior.”

Because investigators took the alleged threat seriously from the very beginning, Dominguez never had a chance to cause harm federal officials said.

“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.”

Related: White Nationalist Rally Targeted In Thwarted Terror Attack: FBI

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.