Army vet accused of plotting terrorist bombing in Long Beach pleads not guilty

A Reseda man accused of planning a bombing at a rally in Bluff Park pleaded not guilty to all charges against him Friday morning.

Mark Steven Domingo, 26, appeared in court for his arraignment in a tan jumpsuit with two long braids of hair, a mustache and beard, confidently responding, “Yes, sir,” and, “No, sir,” to procedural questions from the judge. The entire hearing lasted about two minutes.

Domingo was arrested April 22 after authorities say an undercover informant worked with the FBI to foil a plot to plant an explosive device at a rally in Long Beach. The rally was originally set to be a white-nationalist-linked demonstration, but it was later canceled and instead dominated by counter-protestors, whom Domingo was content to bomb, according to the FBI.

Prosecutors say Domingo, a former U.S. Army infantryman, asked the informant to find a bomb-maker and bought hundreds of nails to use as shrapnel in the device.

He was formally indicted last week with providing material support to terrorists and attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction.

If convicted, Domingo faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

A judge in April denied bond for Domingo, saying he is a “serious risk.”

Domingo is scheduled to be back in court on July 23.

Source: LBP