SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., Dec. 17 (UPI) — Enrique Marquez, longtime friend of San Bernardino gunman Syed Farook, will be criminally charged by federal prosecutors partly over his alleged role in supplying the weapons used in a massacre that killed 14 people.
The charges could be filed as soon as Thursday, NBC News reported. Marquez, 24, previously admitted he bought the two AR-15s assault rifles in 2012 used by Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik to kill 14 people and injure 17 others in the Dec. 2 California mass shooting.
Marquez, described as cooperative by authorities, told investigators he did not know about the couple’s plans for the San Bernardino attack, CNN reported. He allegedly bought the weapons as a favor for Farook because Farook did not want to be on a gun registry.
A licensed dealer is required for any firearm transfer and authorities have found no documents showing Marquez legally passed on the weapons.
Marquez is reportedly married to Mariya Chernykh, the sister of Tatiana Chernykh, who happens to be the wife of Farook’s brother, Syed Raheel Farook. Marquez reportedly converted to Islam and made infrequent appearances at local mosques.
Officials said Farook and Marquez had planned an earlier attack but “got spooked” and backed out after unrelated terror arrests in the area.
President Barack Obama is scheduled to travel to San Bernardino to meet with the shooting victims and their families Friday.
