US authorities declared on Monday that they had managed to foil a comprehensive plan to detonate explosive devices at multiple locations run by two US-based firms on New Year's Eve in the LA region. The operation came after the apprehension of people part of an extremist faction advocating for anti-system and anti-establishment views.
Suspects Taken Into Custody During Isolated Dry Run
The four suspects were detained last Friday in the desert region situated east of Los Angeles as they were allegedly running through their proposed strike. Prosecutors showed from above surveillance footage to the media, that captured the individuals moving a big black device to a workspace. Law enforcement emphasized that the arrests were made ahead of the individuals could construct a fully functional explosive device.
Identities of the Accused Released
According to the filed court documents, the four people identified are Carroll, aged 30; Page, 32; 24-year-old Dante Gaffield; and Tina Lai, 41. The group are reportedly from the Los Angeles region.
Alleged Driving Force and Ties
Although officials did not clearly detail a rationale, they stated the suspects are part of a faction called the Turtle Island Liberation Front. The group according to documents calls for "laborers to rise up and fight back against corporate power," according to the criminal complaint.
The charges include conspiracy to commit a crime and having a bomb. Officials indicated that further accusations are anticipated in the coming weeks.
Particulars of the Alleged "Operation Midnight Sun"
Prosecutors revealed that one of the individuals had created a step-by-step plan last month to bomb at least five commercial sites across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The targets were described as "like Amazon" distribution warehouses.
"This scheme was specific," a prosecutor stated. "It contained detailed directions to build IEDs … and identified several sites across the county of Orange and Los Angeles."
According to the investigation and legal filings, the plan called for planting bags containing sophisticated IEDs that were scheduled to be exploded simultaneously at midnight on New Year's Eve at several places. New Year's Eve was seen as an perfect time as the document stated "fireworks will be going off at this time so explosions will be less likely to be heard."
An eight-page longhand plan, named "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," stated that further locations could be added. The locations were identified as assets and facilities owned by two distinct corporations involved in operations involving interstate and foreign commerce.
Additional Plots and Evidence Found
The investigation also indicated that two people in the group had planned later operations focusing on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and transport with explosives in 2026. One suspect allegedly said that such attacks "would take some of them out and scare the rest of them."
These plans were reportedly discussed both at an in-person assembly in Los Angeles and through an private messaging app.
Pictures included in the legal filings depict a remote camp with what investigators identified as IED-construction items strewn across makeshift work surfaces.
The complaint details that the suspects "carried bomb-making components to the location, such as different sizes of tubes, identified as an oxidizer, charcoal, powdered charcoal, sulfur powder, and items to be used as igniters, among others."
Instructions also had directions on how to manufacture the bombs and how to prevent leaving forensic clues that could be traced back to the group. The individuals had not long ago acquired chemical ingredients and other materials, with buys from e-commerce sites.
Arrest and Aftermath
Authorities moved in last week as the group were running through the attack in the isolated region near Twentynine Palms. "They possessed all the components they were necessary to build an operational explosive device at that site," the attorney commented.
During executed searches, officials allegedly discovered signs for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one suspect's residence that advocated "Death to America", and "ICE Must Go". At another accused's residence, police found a copy of the elaborate bomb plan.
Those arrested were detained without incident. They were scheduled to face a judge in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.
