Neighbor and friend of San Bernardino shooters arrested on terrorism-related charge and more
- 8 years ago
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA — Enrique Marquez, the former friend and neighbor of San Bernardino gunman Syed Rizwan Farook, was arrested on Thursday and is charged with conspiring with Farook to provide material support to terrorism in 2011 and 2012, making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of firearms, and immigration fraud, announced the U.S. Department of Justice.
Marquez and Farook have reportedly known each other since 2005. A neighbor, Lorena Agurre, told the Daily Mail that the two bonded over their passion for cars. Marquez reportedly converted to Islam in 2007.
The two allegedly planned to attack the library or cafeteria at Riverside Community College, where both men had been students, with pipe bombs and guns in 2011, according to the affidavit accompanying the charges. The two also planned to attack a section of State Route 91 that was not near any exits during afternoon rush hour. They had planned to throw pipe bombs onto the freeway before shooting people in stopped cars.
Marquez bought the two AR15 rifles that were used in the December 2 attack carried out by Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, according to the FBI. Marquez told investigators he agreed to purchase the weapons because Farook believed he wouldn’t pass the required background check.
In 2012, the two continued to plan attacks, but backed off after announcement was made of arrests made in unrelated terrorism cases in November 2012, according to the affidavit.
Marquez also entered a sham marriage with the sister of Farook’s brother’s wife so that she could obtain legal status in the United States, and was paid $200 each month, according to a statement released by the Department of Justice.
Marquez has cooperated with investigators and provided information since his arrest, officials have said. He told investigators that he didn’t know of the plans for the San Bernardino attack and also checked himself into a mental health facility.
According to the complaint, Marquez allegedly made a 911 call on December 3. He told the operator that Farook was behind the San Bernardino attack, and that the guns used in the assault were weapons he himself gave to Farook for safe storage.
If charged, Marquez could face up to 35 years in prison. He made an initial court appearance on Thursday and was appointed a lawyer.
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Marquez and Farook have reportedly known each other since 2005. A neighbor, Lorena Agurre, told the Daily Mail that the two bonded over their passion for cars. Marquez reportedly converted to Islam in 2007.
The two allegedly planned to attack the library or cafeteria at Riverside Community College, where both men had been students, with pipe bombs and guns in 2011, according to the affidavit accompanying the charges. The two also planned to attack a section of State Route 91 that was not near any exits during afternoon rush hour. They had planned to throw pipe bombs onto the freeway before shooting people in stopped cars.
Marquez bought the two AR15 rifles that were used in the December 2 attack carried out by Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, according to the FBI. Marquez told investigators he agreed to purchase the weapons because Farook believed he wouldn’t pass the required background check.
In 2012, the two continued to plan attacks, but backed off after announcement was made of arrests made in unrelated terrorism cases in November 2012, according to the affidavit.
Marquez also entered a sham marriage with the sister of Farook’s brother’s wife so that she could obtain legal status in the United States, and was paid $200 each month, according to a statement released by the Department of Justice.
Marquez has cooperated with investigators and provided information since his arrest, officials have said. He told investigators that he didn’t know of the plans for the San Bernardino attack and also checked himself into a mental health facility.
According to the complaint, Marquez allegedly made a 911 call on December 3. He told the operator that Farook was behind the San Bernardino attack, and that the guns used in the assault were weapons he himself gave to Farook for safe storage.
If charged, Marquez could face up to 35 years in prison. He made an initial court appearance on Thursday and was appointed a lawyer.
Need inspiration? Check out some examples of good animations.
For help with uploading to Reuters Media express, see this doc
For help with XML uploading for pieces packaged for Tomo, see this doc
Syndicating to Storyful? Protocol for doing that here