American Officials Report Arrests in Foiled New Year's Explosive Plot Near Southern California
US authorities declared on Monday that they had managed to foil a comprehensive plan to set off explosive devices at numerous locations operated by two US-based firms on New Year's Eve in the southern part of the state. This action resulted from the detainment of people linked to an radical faction promoting anti-capitalist and anti-government ideologies.
Individuals Detained During Isolated Practice
The four individuals were taken into custody last Friday in the remote area situated east of Los Angeles while they were allegedly rehearsing their proposed attack. Officials presented overhead reconnaissance video to the media, which showed the suspects transporting a sizeable black item to a table. Law enforcement noted that the apprehensions were made prior to the group could put together a working bomb.
Identities of the Suspects Disclosed
According to the public criminal complaint, the four individuals listed are a 30-year-old named Audrey Illeene Carroll; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41. Each of them are understood to be from the LA region.
Suspected Motivation and Connections
Although officials did not explicitly detail a rationale, they indicated the suspects are members of a offshoot dubbed the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This organization reportedly advocates for "workers to rise up and resist against capitalism," based on the legal filing.
They face include plotting and owning a bomb. Officials noted that more charges are anticipated in the weeks ahead.
Elements of the Supposed "Operation Midnight Sun"
Prosecutors revealed that one of the suspects had drafted a step-by-step blueprint last month to attack multiple business locations across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The intended sites were characterized as "like Amazon" fulfillment centers.
"The bomb plot was specific," an official stated. "It included step-by-step instructions to construct explosive devices … and identified several targets across Orange County and Los Angeles."
According to the case and legal filings, the plan called for placing rucksacks packed with sophisticated IEDs that were scheduled to be exploded all at once at midnight on New Year's Eve at several locations. New Year's Eve was seen as an perfect time since the document noted "pyrotechnics will be going off at this time so blast noises will be more difficult to be heard."
The eight-page longhand blueprint, called "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," noted that more targets could be included. The sites were identified as property and operations operated by two distinct firms involved in operations affecting interstate and foreign commerce.
Long-term Plots and Materials Found
The investigation also stated that two individuals in the collective had discussed future operations focusing on immigration enforcement personnel and cars with IEDs in 2026. One accused according to the complaint said that such attacks "would eliminate some and intimidate the rest of them."
These plans were reportedly discussed both at an in-person gathering in Los Angeles and through an secure communication application.
Images featured in the legal filings reveal a desert campsite with what authorities described as IED-construction items laid out on portable tables.
The filing notes that the suspects "each brought explosive materials to the location, among them different sizes of plastic pipes, believed to be an oxidizer, fuel, charcoal powder, another chemical, and material to be used as igniters, among others."
The plan also had directions on how to construct the devices and how to not leave behind evidence that could be traced back to the group. The accused had not long ago acquired components and other items, with acquisitions from major websites.
Arrest and Subsequent Actions
Federal agents intervened last week when the individuals were practicing the attack in the desert near Twentynine Palms. "They owned all the components they were necessary to build an functional bomb at that location," the attorney commented.
In the course of served searches, authorities allegedly found flyers for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one individual's home that advocated "Death to America", and "Eliminate ICE". At another accused's home, police found a version of the detailed attack blueprint.
The suspects were taken into custody peacefully. They were set to face a judge in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.
