Federal authorities in the United States have announced the disruption of a significant terror plot, arresting four individuals allegedly planning coordinated bomb attacks across Southern California on New Year's Eve.
Desert Rehearsal Leads to Arrests
According to officials, the four suspects were taken into custody on Friday in the Mojave Desert, east of Los Angeles. Bill Essayli, the First Assistant US Attorney, stated the group was apprehended while rehearsing their plan. Aerial surveillance footage shown to reporters depicted the suspects moving a large black object to a table at a desert campsite. Authorities emphasised that the arrests were made before the suspects could assemble a functional explosive device.
The individuals named in the criminal complaint are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41. All are reported to be from the Los Angeles area. Each faces charges of conspiracy and possession of a destructive device, with additional charges expected in the coming weeks.
Details of "Operation Midnight Sun"
The alleged plot, titled "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN" in an eight-page handwritten plan, was detailed and extensive. Essayli revealed that Carroll created the plan last month, which outlined intentions to bomb five or more business locations on New Year's Eve. The targets were described as logistical centres similar to Amazon, though the specific companies were not named.
The plan called for planting backpacks filled with complex pipe bombs to be detonated simultaneously at midnight. Investigators noted the plotters believed New Year's Eve was opportune, as fireworks would provide cover, making explosions "less likely to be noticed."
Court documents and the complaint reveal the suspects had acquired bomb-making components, including PVC pipes, potassium nitrate, charcoal, sulfur powder, and fuse materials. Some items were allegedly purchased from online retailers like Amazon. Photos from the desert site showed these materials strewn across folding tables.
Extremist Motive and Future Plans
While a clear motive was not explicitly described by officials, the criminal complaint links the suspects to an offshoot of a pro-Palestinian group called the Turtle Island Liberation Front. The group's ideology, as cited, calls for the working class to "rise up and fight back against capitalism."
During searches of the suspects' residences, authorities found posters for the group bearing slogans such as "Death to America" and "Death to ICE" at Carroll's home. A copy of the detailed bomb plan was recovered from Page's residence.
Alarmingly, the complaint also indicates that two members had discussed future attacks targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and vehicles with pipe bombs in 2026. Carroll allegedly remarked that such actions would "take some of them out and scare the rest."
The plans were reportedly discussed both in person in Los Angeles and via an encrypted messaging app. The FBI moved to intervene last week as the group conducted their desert rehearsal near Twentynine Palms, California.
Unified Response and Court Proceedings
Jim McDonnell, the Los Angeles Police Chief, highlighted the successful collaboration between federal and local agencies. He stated that while different levels of government may disagree on policies like immigration enforcement, they unite to protect residents. The LAPD itself does not enforce federal immigration laws.
"The successful disruption of this plot is a powerful testament to the strength of our unified response," McDonnell said. The suspects were arrested without incident and were scheduled for an initial court appearance in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.
Attempts by the Associated Press to reach the suspects' families or attorneys, or to contact the Turtle Island Liberation Front via social media for comment, were unsuccessful.
