Law enforcement officials announced on Monday that they had managed to foil a detailed plot to detonate IEDs at multiple locations belonging to two US-based businesses on New Year's Eve in the southern part of the state. The move came after the detainment of suspects part of an radical group advocating for anti-capitalist and anti-authority views.
Individuals Apprehended During Remote Dry Run
A quartet of individuals were arrested last Friday in the remote area situated east of Los Angeles while they were reportedly practicing their proposed operation. Federal attorneys displayed aerial reconnaissance video to reporters, that depicted the individuals carrying a sizeable obscure item to a surface. Officials noted that the apprehensions occurred ahead of the suspects could construct a fully functional IED.
Names of the Accused Made Public
According to the filed legal filing, the four people identified are a 30-year-old named Audrey Illeene Carroll; Zachary Aaron Page, 32 years old; 24-year-old Dante Gaffield; and Tina Lai, 41. The group are understood to be from the Los Angeles region.
Suspected Driving Force and Group Affiliations
While officials did not directly describe a motive, they stated the group are adherents of a offshoot dubbed the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This organization according to documents urges "workers to rise up and combat against the capitalist system," according to the legal filing.
Each suspect is charged with include conspiracy to commit a crime and having a explosive. Prosecutors indicated that more charges are anticipated in the weeks ahead.
Particulars of the Reported "The Midnight Sun Plan"
Prosecutors stated that one of the suspects had drafted a meticulous plan last month to bomb multiple corporate facilities across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The intended sites were likened to "Amazon-type" logistical warehouses.
"The plan was detailed," an official said. "It included step-by-step instructions to make bombs … and named several targets across Orange County and Los Angeles."
According to the case and the complaint, the plot called for planting rucksacks packed with complex pipe bombs that were planned to be set off at the same time at midnight on New Year's Eve at 5 locations. New Year's Eve was seen as an perfect time as the scheme stated "celebratory explosions will be going off at this time so explosions will be less likely to be noticed."
An eight-page longhand plan, called "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," stated that further locations could be added. The locations were described as premises and facilities run by two distinct corporations connected with business involving commerce.
Additional Plans and Proof Seized
The criminal complaint also revealed that two individuals in the faction had talked about later operations focusing on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and transport with pipe bombs in 2026. One individual allegedly said that such strikes "would eliminate some and intimidate the rest of them."
The plotting were allegedly planned both at an in-person gathering in Los Angeles and through an private messaging app.
Images included in the case file show a isolated site with what investigators identified as IED-construction items strewn across portable tables.
The filing states that the suspects "all brought IED parts to the site, such as assorted sizes of tubes, believed to be a chemical compound, charcoal, charcoal powder, powdered sulfur, and material to be used as igniters, along with other items."
The plan also included directions on how to construct the devices and how to prevent leaving evidence that could be linked back to the group. The individuals had not long ago obtained chemical ingredients and other goods, via purchases from online retailers.
Operation and Subsequent Actions
Federal agents took action last week while the individuals were rehearsing the operation in the desert near a desert community. "They possessed all the components they required to construct an working explosive device at that place," the prosecutor said.
During served raids, officials reportedly located flyers for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one individual's home that called for "Death to America", and "Death to ICE". At another individual's home, police discovered a copy of the detailed explosives scheme.
Those arrested were arrested without incident. They were due to face a judge in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.
