Mark Domingo, who was arrested and charged for allegedly scheming to conduct multiple terrorist attacks to avenge the New Zealand shooting last month, was reportedly demoted and discharged from the U.S. Army for a serious offense.
According to a U.S. official, Domingo breached the Uniform Code of Military Justice and was subsequently ousted from the Army before he had fulfilled his commitment outlined on his enlistment contract, the Associated Press reports. Officials declined to share specifics on Domingo’s offense.
According to military records, Domingo served in the Army for approximately 16 months as a combat infantryman. He served overseas in Afghanistan for four months in 2012 before exiting the military at the rank of private.
Domingo was reportedly given a general discharge, which means that he did not live up to all expectations of service members. In contrast, an honorable discharge is given to those who demonstrated excellent conduct and performance.
Domingo, 26, was arrested on Friday in Reseda, Calif., for allegedly plotting to plant improvised explosive devices for “the purpose of causing mass casualties,” including detonating a device with 3-inch-long nails at a rally for Nazis on Sunday.
Domingo, who recently converted to Islam, reportedly said in a private chat after the New Zealand shooting that he should make a Christian’s life “miserable.”
“I feel like I should make a christians life miserable tomorrow for our fallen bros n sis in [N]ew Zealand…maybe a jews life…they shed our blood…no Muslim should have to experience this, a message needs to be sent.”
He was charged with providing and attempting to provide material support to terrorists, according to a criminal complaint unsealed on Monday. The FBI and police circumvented the attacks by posing as Domingo’s accomplices.
