🔗 Share this article

Federal agents announced on Monday that they had effectively disrupted a elaborate plan to set off bombs at multiple sites run by two US-based firms on New Year's Eve in the southern part of the state. The operation resulted from the apprehension of suspects associated with an extremist faction advocating for anti-corporate and anti-authority views.

Those Arrested Apprehended During Isolated Dry Run

The four people were taken into custody last Friday in the remote area found east of Los Angeles as they were reportedly practicing their intended strike. Federal attorneys presented overhead surveillance video to the media, that depicted the suspects moving a large dark device to a surface. Officials noted that the apprehensions were made ahead of the group could assemble a working IED.

Details of the Accused Disclosed

Based on the submitted court documents, the four people listed are a 30-year-old named Audrey Illeene Carroll; Zachary Aaron Page, 32 years old; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Lai, 41. The group are reportedly from the Los Angeles region.

Alleged Motive and Ties

Although prosecutors did not directly detail a reason, they stated the individuals are members of a splinter group called the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This organization reportedly urges "the working class to rise up and fight back against the capitalist system," according to the legal filing.

They face comprise conspiracy and owning a destructive device. The government indicated that more charges are expected in the coming weeks.

Elements of the Alleged "Operation Midnight Sun"

Officials revealed that one of the individuals had drafted a step-by-step plan last month to attack multiple corporate facilities across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The intended sites were likened to "like Amazon" fulfillment warehouses.

"This scheme was detailed," a prosecutor stated. "It contained detailed directions to build IEDs … and identified numerous objectives across Orange County and Los Angeles."

According to the probe and legal filings, the plot called for planting backpacks packed with intricate explosive devices that were planned to be set off all at once at midnight on New Year's Eve at several places. New Year's Eve was identified as an ideal time because the document noted "celebratory explosions will be going off at this time so blast noises will be more difficult to be noticed."

An eight-page longhand document, titled "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," stated that further locations could be incorporated. The sites were described as property and buildings run by two distinct firms tied to operations involving commerce.

Long-term Schemes and Proof Seized

The investigation also stated that two members in the collective had talked about later operations focusing on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and vehicles with IEDs in 2026. One suspect reportedly commented that such actions "would kill some and frighten the rest of them."

The plotting were reportedly planned both at an in-person assembly in Los Angeles and through an secure digital platform.

Photos contained in the case file show a desert campsite with what investigators described as explosives-manufacturing items strewn across makeshift work surfaces.

Official documents notes that the group "carried bomb-making components to the site, including different sizes of plastic pipes, suspected an oxidizer, charcoal, charcoal powder, powdered sulfur, and material to be used as igniters, and more."

The scheme also had steps on how to manufacture the devices and how to not leave behind forensic clues that could be connected back to the faction. The accused had in the recent past obtained components and other materials, with buys from e-commerce sites.

Arrest and Subsequent Actions

Authorities moved in last week while the individuals were running through the attack in the desert near Twentynine Palms. "They possessed everything they needed to make an working explosive device at that place," the attorney stated.

In the course of served search warrants, authorities reportedly found signs for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one suspect's residence that advocated "America Must Fall", and "ICE Must Go". At another individual's residence, police located a version of the detailed explosives scheme.

Those arrested were taken into custody without incident. They were set to appear in court in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.