RIVERSIDE, California – Enrique Marquez Jr. – a longtime
friend of Syed Rizwan Farook, the male shooter in the San Bernardino terrorist
attack – has agreed to plead guilty to conspiring with Farook in 2011 and 2012
to provide material support to terrorists.
Marquez, 25, of Riverside, entered into a plea agreement
that was filed today in United States District Court. The defendant is
scheduled to enter his guilty pleas Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. before United
States District Judge Jesus Bernal.
In the plea agreement, Marquez agreed to plead guilty to
providing material support and resources to terrorists, including weapons,
explosives and personnel. Marquez admitted in the plea agreement that he
conspired with Farook in 2011 and 2012 to attack Riverside City College (RCC)
and commuter traffic on the 91 Freeway.
Marquez also agreed to plead guilty to making false
statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm for being the
"straw buyer" of two assault rifles that were used in the shooting
rampage at the San Bernardino Inland Regional Center (IRC) on December 2, 2015.
"This defendant collaborated with and purchased weapons
for a man who carried out the devastating December 2, 2015 terrorist attack
that took the lives of 14 innocent people, wounded nearly two dozen, and
impacted our entire nation," said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker.
"While his earlier plans to attack a school and a freeway were not
executed, the planning clearly laid the foundation for the 2015 attack on the
Inland Regional Center. When this defendant pleads guilty, all four individuals
charged, including three of the shooters’ family members, will be convicted.
Everyone in the U.S. Attorney’s Office – and everyone across the Department of
Justice and the broader law enforcement community – brought their expertise,
dedication, and tireless effort to bear on this investigation. We are, and will
continue to be, deeply committed to pursuing the prosecution of everyone who
was even remotely related to the San Bernardino attack. As these criminal cases
begin to resolve, we hope that the victims of the attack and the community of
San Bernardino are comforted in some small way by the knowledge that the
Department of Justice and the law enforcement community stands with them in
this investigation, resolute and committed to justice."
"With this plea, Enrique Marquez Jr. will be held accountable
for his role in plotting terrorist attacks on American soil with Sayed Rizwan
Farook in 2011 and 2012, attacks which were, fortunately, not carried
out," said Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary B.
McCord. "Marquez also admitted to making a false statement as part of his
straw purchases of weapons for Farook – weapons that were eventually used to
carry out the deadly terrorist attack in San Bernardino. Holding those who
threaten our national security and public safety accountable will always be the
highest priority of the National Security Division and I want to thank all of
the agents, analysts, and prosecutors who are responsible for this
result."
Marquez was arrested about two weeks after the attack at the
IRC, which was perpetrated by Farook, and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, who were
killed in a shootout with law enforcement hours after the attack.
The investigation into the deadly shooting quickly uncovered
evidence that, in 2011 and 2012, Marquez purchased two rifles that Farook and
Malik later used in the attack that killed 14 people and wounded 22 others at
the IRC. A law enforcement officer was wounded during the shootout that
afternoon.
According to the plea agreement, Farook paid Marquez for the
rifles. Marquez also discussed with Farook the use of radio-controlled
improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during the planned attacks on the RCC and
State Route 91. Marquez purchased Christmas tree lightbulbs and a container of
smokeless powder for use in manufacturing IEDs.
"Defendant Marquez purchased two of the weapons used in
the San Bernardino terror attack to murder 14 innocent people and seriously
injure 22 others – a horrific act which led to great suffering and a lifetime
of pain for the survivors and for the loved ones of those murdered," said
Deirdre Fike, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field
Office. "Defendant Marquez provided these weapons to his associate, Syed
Rizwan Farook, with whom he conspired to plot chilling terror attacks. I’m gratified
that this guilty plea will spare the victims and the San Bernardino community
from having to relive the gruesome details of the attack during what would
likely be a lengthy trial."
Once he pleads guilty, Marquez will face a statutory maximum
sentence of 25 years in federal prison.
Marquez, who did not personally participate in the attack on
the IRC, has remained in custody since he was ordered detained at his initial
court appearance in this case on December 17, 2015.
The plea agreement filed today is the result of an
investigation by several members of the Inland Empire Joint Terrorism Task
Force, including agents and detectives from the Federal Bureau of
Investigation; the San Bernardino Police Department; the San Bernardino County
Sheriff’s Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
(ATF); U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security
Investigations; the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department; the San Bernardino
County District Attorney’s Office; the Chino Police Department; the Redlands
Police Department; the Ontario Police Department; the Corona Police Department;
and the Riverside Police Department.
"Straw purchasers are criminals who are the beginning
of the chain of violence in our country," said ATF Special Agent in Charge
Eric D. Harden. "It is purchases like Marquez’s that led to the terror on
that tragic day in San Bernardino. The crime goes beyond making a false
statement on a government form. It puts guns in the hands of criminals who will
victimize the community. In this case, the straw purchase is as reprehensible
as the attack.
"This guilty plea will bring much needed closure to a
case that devastated those victims and families associated with the senseless
attack on December 2, 2015, an attack that also deeply impacted our
community," said San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan. "This
case a perfect example of local and federal authorities working together with a
common purpose for the sake of the victims."
San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon stated:
"December 2nd will forever haunt the memories of the victims’ families and
the survivors who have lived through the tragedy. I pray today's guilty plea
brings all of us a bit of justice."
Also as a result of the investigation into the IRC attack,
three people have pleaded guilty to being part of a sham marriage scheme in
which a Russian woman "married" Marquez to obtain immigration
benefits.
Syed Raheel Farook, the brother of IRC attacker Syed Rizwan
Farook; Tatiana Farook, who is Syed Raheel Farook’s wife; and Mariya Chernykh,
who is Tatiana Farook’s sister, pleaded guilty earlier this year to immigration
fraud charges and admitted being part of conspiracy in which Chernykh paid
Marquez to enter into a bogus marriage.
The case against Marquez and the immigration fraud case are
being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jay H. Robinson, Melanie
Sartoris and Deirdre Z. Eliot of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section. Trial
Attorney C. Alexandria Bogle of the National Security Division’s
Counterterrorism Section provided substantial assistance.
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