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A U.S. Military veteran who needed revenge for assaults on Muslims across the globe and was alleged to have deliberate to detonate a bomb at a Lengthy Seaside rally was convicted Wednesday of the tried mass casualty assault.
Mark Steven Domingo, 28, of Reseda was discovered responsible by a federal jury of offering materials help to terrorism and making an attempt to make use of a weapon of mass destruction. He faces a possible life sentence in federal jail at his Nov. 1 sentencing. He has been in federal custody since his arrest in April 2019.
Domingo was arrested after he took supply of what he thought was an improvised explosive system from an undercover legislation enforcement officer posing as a bomb maker, officers mentioned.
In keeping with the proof offered in his case, Domingo thought of “varied assaults — together with concentrating on Jews, church buildings and law enforcement officials” earlier than he determined “to detonate an IED” at a rally scheduled to happen in Lengthy Seaside in 2019.
As a part of the plot, Domingo requested his accomplice — who was cooperating with the FBI as a part of the investigation — to discover a bomb maker, and Domingo then bought a number of hundred nails for use as shrapnel contained in the explosive system, in line with officers.
Federal prosecutors mentioned he referenced the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing whereas asking the FBI informant to assist him get entry to comparable pressure-cooker bombs that he hoped would kill and maim dozens.
“Domingo mentioned he particularly purchased 3-inch nails as a result of they’d be lengthy sufficient to penetrate the human physique and puncture inner organs,” an agent swore below oath in looking for his arrest.
John Demers, the then-assistant legal professional basic for the Justice Division’s nationwide safety division, mentioned Domingo needed to make use of improvised explosive units that “would make the bombs much more lethal to the victims he focused.”
Prosecutors mentioned Domingo sought retribution for the March 15, 2019, assaults on New Zealand mosques and was prepared to die a martyr.
“There have to be retribution,” he mentioned in a web based submit.
Mark Steven Domingo was arrested after he took supply of what he thought was a dwell bomb, authorities mentioned.
(FBI)
In a sequence of posts, Domingo additionally mentioned he hoped one other occasion much like the 2017 slaughter on the Route 91 Harvest pageant in Las Vegas would possibly “kick-off civil unrest” within the U.S.
“It’s not about successful the civil struggle; it’s about weakening America and giving them a style of the phobia they gladly unfold all around the world,” he wrote.
The rally that Domingo focused was referred to as the United Patriots Nationwide Entrance and was set to happen in Bluff Park.
However members of the group, which native activists have described as affiliated with white nationalism, didn’t present up. As an alternative, about 200 counter-protesters populated the park, however there have been no arrests or accidents.
Domingo’s “back-up plan” was to focus on an illustration in opposition to California’s so-called sanctuary state legislation, which happened in Huntington Seaside.
Learn the affidavit on the alleged thwarted terror plot in Southern California.»
After federal authorities noticed Domingo’s extremist feedback on-line, an informant made contact with him. Throughout a drive on March 18, Domingo identified doable targets, together with “police vehicles, church buildings and a Nationwide Guard Armory,” to the particular person he believed to be his co-conspirator, FBI Particular Agent Tasha Coolidge mentioned.
The veteran mentioned he didn’t plan on getting away: “Martyrdom, bro.”
Domingo talked about utilizing weapons to conduct an assault, in line with officers, however the confidential informant recommended he knew somebody who might make explosives.
“That’s even higher,” Domingo mentioned, in line with courtroom information.
Courtroom information went on to element an April 3 assembly, throughout which Domingo proposed killing law enforcement officials and army service personnel in Los Angeles. In keeping with the grievance, he mentioned he needed to hold out a large-scale assault, presumably involving an explosion on a freeway that would go away “a whole bunch and possibly hundreds of U.S. residents injured.”
”After which what?” the informant requested.
“Then the enjoyable begins,” Domingo is claimed to have replied.
In keeping with the affidavit, on April 19, the Military veteran’s discuss escalated, and he arrived at a gathering with the informant carrying camouflage pants and holding a backpack with an AK-47-style rifle. He mentioned he was ready to commit jihad.
After discussing finishing up a drive-by taking pictures utilizing the assault rifle, officers mentioned, Domingo ended up planning to focus on the rallies. Frightened these occasions may be canceled, he additionally thought of blowing up the Santa Monica Pier as a result of it might be crowded, in line with paperwork.
When the informant advised Domingo the Lengthy Seaside rally would occur, he proceeded with a plan to plant bombs there, authorities mentioned.
On April 26, 2019, Domingo acquired what he thought have been two dwell bombs however have been really inert explosive units delivered by an undercover legislation enforcement officer. He was arrested that very same day with one of many bombs in his arms.
Instances workers author James Queally contributed to this report.
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