Enrique Marquez Jr. to Plead Guilty in San Bernardino Terror Plot

Enrique Marquez Jr., a 25-year-old from Riverside, California, has agreed to plead guilty to plotting terrorist attacks with San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook years before the deadly 2015 rampage. Marquez admitted to conspiring with Farook in 2011 and 2012 to launch coordinated assaults on Riverside City College and commuter traffic along the 91 Freeway—plans that were never executed but laid the groundwork for later violence.

Under a plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court, Marquez will plead guilty to providing material support to terrorists, including supplying weapons, explosives, and personnel for planned attacks. He also admitted to acting as a straw buyer for two assault rifles later used by Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, in the December 2, 2015, shooting at the Inland Regional Center that left 14 dead and 22 wounded.

Marquez received payment from Farook for the firearms and discussed deploying radio-controlled improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during their earlier plots. According to court documents, he purchased components such as Christmas tree lightbulbs and smokeless powder—materials consistent with bomb-making efforts—showing a clear intent to escalate violence had the plans moved forward.

Arrested just two weeks after the IRC attack, Marquez becomes the fourth person convicted in connection with the San Bernardino terror spree. Farook and Malik were killed in a shootout with police hours after the massacre. Three of Farook’s family members have already been convicted on charges related to aiding or covering up aspects of the plot.

“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,” said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. “While his earlier plans were not executed, the planning clearly laid the foundation for the 2015 attack.”

Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary B. McCord emphasized that Marquez’s false statements during the firearm purchases directly enabled a mass-casualty terrorist event. “Holding those who threaten our national security accountable will always be the highest priority,” she said. Marquez is scheduled to formally enter his guilty plea Thursday at 9:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Jesus Bernal.

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