Federal Authorities Report Arrests in Disrupted New Year's Bomb Plot Near LA
US authorities stated on Monday that they had managed to foil a comprehensive plot to set off explosive devices at several facilities run by two corporate firms on New Year's Eve in the LA region. The move came after the apprehension of people associated with an militant group promoting anti-capitalist and anti-establishment ideologies.
Individuals Apprehended During Remote Rehearsal
Four individuals were taken into custody last Friday in the remote area found east of Los Angeles at the time they were according to officials rehearsing their planned attack. Federal attorneys presented overhead surveillance video to reporters, that showed the suspects carrying a sizeable dark item to a workspace. Law enforcement stressed that the detainments were made prior to the individuals could construct a working explosive device.
Names of the Suspects Disclosed
As per the submitted legal filing, the four people identified are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, who is 41. The group are said to be from the LA area.
Suspected Driving Force and Connections
Even though authorities did not clearly detail a reason, they stated the individuals are adherents of a splinter group called the Turtle Island Liberation Front. The group reportedly urges "laborers to rebel and resist against the capitalist system," based on the legal filing.
The charges comprise conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of a explosive. Officials stated that more charges are anticipated in the next few weeks.
Elements of the Supposed "The Midnight Sun Plan"
Officials stated that one of the suspects had devised a step-by-step scheme last month to attack multiple corporate facilities across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The intended sites were likened to "similar to Amazon" distribution hubs.
"The plan was specific," an official stated. "It laid out step-by-step instructions to make bombs … and listed numerous sites across Orange County and Los Angeles."
According to the investigation and legal filings, the plot involved planting rucksacks packed with sophisticated IEDs that were set to be exploded all at once at midnight on New Year's Eve at several places. New Year's Eve was seen as an ideal time because the scheme indicated "celebratory explosions will be going off at this time so explosions will be harder to be detected."
The eight-page handwritten plan, titled "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," noted that further locations could be included. The locations were described as premises and operations owned by two separate corporations tied to activities related to national and international trade.
Additional Schemes and Evidence Uncovered
Court documents also indicated that two individuals in the faction had discussed future operations targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and vehicles with IEDs in 2026. One accused allegedly noted that such actions "would kill some and scare the rest of them."
These plans were reportedly talked over both at an face-to-face assembly in Los Angeles and through an secure messaging app.
Images included in the case file depict a desert campsite with what investigators described as bomb-making components scattered on makeshift work surfaces.
The complaint states that the group "carried IED parts to the campsite, including assorted sizes of PVC pipes, identified as a chemical compound, charcoal, powdered charcoal, powdered sulfur, and material to be used as detonators, and more."
The plan also contained steps on how to build the bombs and how to prevent leaving forensic clues that could be traced back to the individuals. The accused had in the recent past obtained precursor chemicals and other materials, with acquisitions from major websites.
Apprehension and Aftermath
Authorities intervened last week as the group were practicing the strike in the isolated region near Twentynine Palms. "They owned everything they required to construct an operational explosive device at that location," an official said.
In the course of served search warrants, authorities reportedly found signs for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one accused's home that demanded "Death to America", and "Eliminate ICE". At another suspect's apartment, police found a duplicate of the elaborate bomb plan.
The individuals were detained without a struggle. They were due to make a court appearance in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.
