Friend Of San Bernardino Shooter Charged In Purchase Of Rifles Used In Mass Killing
RIVERSIDE (CBSLA.com) — A longtime friend of the male shooter in San Bernardino terror attack was named Wednesday in a federal grand jury indictment that charges him purchasing the assault rifles used in the killings, authorities said.
Enrique Marquez Jr., 24, of Riverside also was charged with conspiring with Farook in 2011 and 2012 to provide material support to terrorists. The five-count indictment also charges Marquez with marriage fraud and making a false statement on immigration paperwork in relation to a marriage with a member of Syed Farook's family, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Marquez is being held in federal custody without bond and is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 6 in U.S. District Court in Riverside.
"This indictment demonstrates that we will hold accountable all individuals who collaborate with terrorists in executing their plans," said U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker. "Defendant Marquez's extensive plotting with Syed Rizwan Farook in 2011 and 2012, and his purchase of explosive powder and two firearms, provided the foundation for the murders that occurred this month."
David Bowdich, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, said: "Mr. Marquez is charged for his role in a conspiracy several years ago to target innocent civilians in our own backyard with cold-blooded terror attacks, and with providing weapons to an individual whose endgame was murder. The covert nature of the defendant's alleged actions is a stark reminder of the challenges we face in preventing attacks planned in the name of violent jihad, and underscores the critical need for those with knowledge about terror plots to come forward."
Wednesday's indictment charges Marquez with conspiring with Farook to provide material support and resources, including weapons, explosives and personnel, to terrorists, knowing that such support was to be used in preparation for terrorist attacks.
Marquez also is charged with two counts of making a false statement when purchasing two assault rifles for Farook that were used in the attack at the Inland Regional Center that killed 14 people and wounded 22 others on Dec. 2. Specifically, Marquez is charged with stating on a form that he was the actual buyer, a statement he knew to be false, according to authorities.
The final two counts in the indictment allege that Marquez entered into a sham marriage with a member of Farook's family in November 2014 and that on July 17, 2015, he signed an immigration form that he was living with the purported spouse in Corona, when he was not actually living there.
The charge of providing material support to terrorists carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. The charges of making a false statement in connection with acquisition of firearms each carry a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
The marriage fraud count carries a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison. The charge of making a false statement on immigration paperwork carries a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.