Federal Authorities Announce Arrests in Thwarted Year-End Terror Plot Close to Los Angeles

Federal agents declared on Monday that they had effectively disrupted a detailed scheme to set off explosive devices at several locations belonging to two corporate firms on New Year's Eve in the LA region. The move resulted from the arrest of people linked to an extremist faction advocating for anti-system and anti-authority ideologies.

Those Arrested Detained During Remote Dry Run

The four people were taken into custody last Friday in the desert region found east of Los Angeles as they were reportedly practicing their proposed operation. Prosecutors displayed overhead monitoring footage to the media, that showed the suspects carrying a sizeable black device to a surface. Officials emphasized that the apprehensions were made prior to the individuals could assemble a working explosive device.

Identities of the Accused Made Public

As per the public legal filing, the four individuals identified are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Page, 32; 24-year-old Dante Gaffield; and Lai, 41. The group are said to be from the greater Los Angeles area.

Reported Driving Force and Ties

Although prosecutors did not explicitly describe a rationale, they stated the individuals are part of a offshoot known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front. The group according to documents advocates for "the working class to rebel and resist against corporate power," as per the criminal complaint.

The charges involve conspiracy to commit a crime and having a bomb. Prosecutors stated that more counts are expected in the next few weeks.

Elements of the Alleged "Midnight Sun Operation"

Prosecutors stated that one of the individuals had drafted a detailed blueprint last month to attack at least five commercial sites across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The locations were likened to "similar to Amazon" logistical hubs.

"The plan was explicit," an official said. "It laid out step-by-step instructions to construct explosive devices … and identified multiple objectives across Orange county and Los Angeles."

Based on the probe and legal filings, the scheme entailed positioning backpacks filled with complex pipe bombs that were planned to be exploded all at once at midnight on New Year's Eve at five places. New Year's Eve was chosen as an perfect time because the document stated "celebratory explosions will be going off at this time so detonations will be more difficult to be detected."

An eight-page manually written document, called "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," stated that more locations could be incorporated. The sites were categorized as premises and facilities owned by two different corporations connected with operations involving commerce.

Additional Plots and Materials Found

The investigation also indicated that two individuals in the collective had planned later attacks aimed at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and cars with explosives in 2026. One accused according to the complaint commented that such attacks "would take some of them out and frighten the rest of them."

These plans were reportedly planned both at an physical meeting in Los Angeles and through an private digital platform.

Pictures contained in the legal filings depict a desert campsite with what authorities described as bomb-making items scattered on portable tables.

The filing notes that the individuals "carried explosive materials to the site, among them assorted sizes of PVC pipes, believed to be an oxidizer, charcoal, fuel powder, powdered sulfur, and items to be used as detonators, and more."

The scheme also included directions on how to manufacture the bombs and how to not leave behind evidence that could be traced back to the group. The individuals had not long ago obtained components and other materials, with buys from e-commerce sites.

Apprehension and Subsequent Actions

The FBI intervened last week when the individuals were rehearsing the strike in the desert near a California town. "They possessed everything they needed to make an working explosive device at that place," the prosecutor stated.

In the course of executed searches, authorities allegedly located posters for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one individual's residence that demanded "Death to America", and "ICE Must Go". At another accused's apartment, police discovered a copy of the elaborate bomb plan.

The suspects were taken into custody without a struggle. They were due to appear in court in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.