🔗 Share this article

US authorities announced on Monday that they had effectively disrupted a detailed plan to set off explosive devices at numerous locations run by two corporate firms on New Year's Eve in Southern California. The move came after the arrest of individuals linked to an radical offshoot espousing anti-system and anti-authority views.

Individuals Detained During Desert Practice

The four suspects were arrested last Friday in the Mojave Desert located east of Los Angeles at the time they were allegedly rehearsing their intended operation. Federal attorneys presented aerial reconnaissance video to journalists, which showed the group carrying a sizeable dark object to a table. Officials stressed that the apprehensions occurred before the suspects could assemble a operational explosive device.

Identities of the Those Charged Made Public

According to the filed criminal complaint, the four suspects listed are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; 24-year-old Dante Gaffield; and Tina Lai, who is 41. All four are said to be from the LA region.

Suspected Motivation and Ties

Even though authorities did not directly describe a reason, they said the individuals are adherents of a faction called the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This entity according to documents advocates for "the working class to revolt and resist against capitalism," according to the criminal complaint.

The charges comprise conspiracy and owning a destructive device. Prosecutors indicated that additional accusations are expected in the weeks ahead.

Details of the Reported "The Midnight Sun Plan"

Authorities said that one of the accused had devised a meticulous plan last month to target at least five business locations across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The locations were likened to "similar to Amazon" distribution hubs.

"The plan was specific," the attorney stated. "It included a precise guide to make bombs … and identified multiple sites across Orange county and Los Angeles."

Based on the investigation and legal filings, the plan involved planting bags containing sophisticated explosive devices that were planned to be exploded simultaneously at midnight on New Year's Eve at 5 sites. New Year's Eve was identified as an perfect time since the scheme noted "fireworks will be going off at this time so detonations will be more difficult to be heard."

The handwritten, eight-page manually written plan, named "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," stated that more targets could be included. The locations were identified as assets and operations owned by two different firms connected with activities affecting commerce.

Future Plans and Proof Found

The criminal complaint also revealed that two members in the group had planned future operations targeting immigration enforcement personnel and vehicles with IEDs in 2026. One suspect allegedly commented that such actions "would eliminate some and intimidate the rest of them."

The plotting were allegedly planned both at an face-to-face meeting in Los Angeles and through an private digital platform.

Images featured in the legal filings depict a remote camp with what authorities identified as IED-construction components scattered on makeshift work surfaces.

Official documents notes that the suspects "carried bomb-making components to the campsite, among them different sizes of PVC pipes, identified as an oxidizer, charcoal, powdered charcoal, sulfur powder, and items to be used as fuses, along with other items."

The scheme also included directions on how to build the explosives and how to not leave behind evidence that could be linked back to the faction. The suspects had in the recent past acquired chemical ingredients and other goods, including buys from e-commerce sites.

Apprehension and Subsequent Actions

Federal agents moved in last week as the suspects were running through the attack in the remote area near a desert community. "They had everything they required to build an working IED at that location," an official stated.

During executed search warrants, authorities reportedly found posters for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one accused's residence that demanded "Down with America", and "Eliminate ICE". At another suspect's home, police located a version of the comprehensive bomb plan.

The suspects were detained without a struggle. They were scheduled to make a court appearance in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.