Federal agents stated on Monday that they had managed to foil a comprehensive plot to explode explosive devices at several sites belonging to two corporate firms on New Year's Eve in the southern part of the state. This action followed the arrest of individuals associated with an militant faction espousing anti-corporate and anti-authority beliefs.
Individuals Taken Into Custody During Desert Practice
Four individuals were detained last Friday in the Mojave Desert located east of Los Angeles while they were allegedly practicing their proposed operation. Prosecutors presented overhead reconnaissance video to journalists, that depicted the group moving a sizeable dark item to a surface. Authorities noted that the apprehensions occurred ahead of the group could construct a operational explosive device.
Details of the Suspects Made Public
According to the filed legal filing, the four suspects listed are a 30-year-old named Audrey Illeene Carroll; Zachary Aaron Page, 32 years old; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, who is 41. All four are reportedly from the Los Angeles area.
Alleged Motivation and Connections
Although authorities did not directly outline a reason, they stated the group are adherents of a splinter group dubbed the Turtle Island Liberation Front. The group allegedly urges "the working class to rebel and combat against the capitalist system," based on the legal filing.
The charges include plotting and possession of a destructive device. The government noted that more charges are anticipated in the coming weeks.
Elements of the Alleged "The Midnight Sun Plan"
Officials stated that one of the individuals had devised a detailed plan last month to target five or more commercial sites across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The intended sites were characterized as "Amazon-type" distribution hubs.
"The bomb plot was specific," an official said. "It included detailed directions to build IEDs … and listed multiple targets across the county of Orange and Los Angeles."
Based on the case and court documents, the plan involved placing bags packed with complex explosive devices that were scheduled to be exploded 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 scheme noted "pyrotechnics will be going off at this time so explosions will be harder to be noticed."
An eight-page manually written blueprint, titled "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," suggested that further targets could be incorporated. The locations were identified as premises and buildings operated by two separate corporations tied to activities involving commerce.
Additional Schemes and Proof Uncovered
The criminal complaint also revealed that two members in the faction had discussed subsequent operations targeting immigration enforcement agents and transport with explosives in 2026. One individual according to the complaint said that such actions "would kill some and frighten the rest of them."
These plans were reportedly discussed both at an physical assembly in Los Angeles and through an encrypted messaging app.
Photos contained in the court documents reveal a remote camp with what authorities said were explosives-manufacturing materials scattered on makeshift work surfaces.
The complaint details that the individuals "all brought explosive materials to the site, among them different sizes of plastic pipes, believed to be potassium nitrate, charcoal briquettes, fuel powder, powdered sulfur, and components to be used as fuses, among others."
Instructions also included directions on how to construct the explosives and how to prevent leaving traces that could be linked back to the group. The accused had in the recent past purchased components and other materials, including buys from e-commerce sites.
Operation and Follow-up
Authorities intervened last week while the suspects were practicing the attack in the isolated region near a desert community. "They owned every item they were necessary to build an working IED at that location," an official stated.
As part of served searches, officials allegedly discovered posters for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one accused's dwelling that demanded "Death to America", and "Eliminate ICE". At another suspect's apartment, police discovered a duplicate of the elaborate explosives scheme.
The suspects were taken into custody peacefully. They were set to appear in court in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.
