WAKEFIELD— A shocking case of homegrown terrorism unfolded right here in Massachusetts as a 20-year-old from Wakefield pleaded guilty to secretly financing ISIS. Mateo Ventura admitted in federal court to attempting to funnel cash directly to the notorious terrorist organization.

Ventura’s alarming scheme came to light after he provided several gift cards to an individual he believed was an ISIS supporter. According to federal authorities, these cards were meant to be sold on the dark web, with profits destined to fund the jihadist group’s operations. Ventura even expressed his intent for the money to support ISIS “for war on kuffar,” or non-believers.

Between January and May of this year, Ventura reportedly donated a total of $705. This serious charge—knowingly concealing material support to a foreign terrorist organization—holds a potential prison sentence of up to ten years, plus significant fines and a lifetime of supervised release, as outlined by prosecutors. Sentencing is now set for January 8, 2026, raising concerns about the consequences for this young man’s reckless actions.

U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper will ultimately decide Ventura's fate, as the case continues to unfold. Investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division worked alongside the U.S. Attorney’s Office, emphasizing the gravity of this situation as it reflects broader national security challenges. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by domestic terrorism, leaving many to question how such ideologies can take root so close to home.