American Officials Report Detainment in Thwarted New Year's Eve Explosive Scheme Outside LA
Law enforcement officials announced on Monday that they had successfully thwarted a detailed scheme to explode explosive devices at several sites belonging to two corporate companies on New Year's Eve in the LA region. The move came after the detainment of people linked to an militant offshoot advocating for anti-capitalist and anti-government beliefs.
Individuals Detained During Isolated Rehearsal
A quartet of individuals were arrested last Friday in the Mojave Desert situated east of Los Angeles while they were according to officials rehearsing their intended operation. Prosecutors presented overhead monitoring video to reporters, that captured the individuals moving a sizeable black device to a workspace. Authorities noted that the apprehensions took place ahead of the group could construct a fully functional explosive device.
Names of the Accused Released
Based on the filed court documents, the four suspects listed are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32 years old; 24-year-old Dante Gaffield; and Lai, 41. The group are reportedly from the greater Los Angeles area.
Reported Motivation and Connections
Even though prosecutors did not directly outline a motive, they indicated the group are members of a splinter group known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This entity according to documents calls for "workers to revolt and resist against the capitalist system," based on the legal filing.
Each suspect is charged with involve plotting and possession of a bomb. The government stated that further accusations are anticipated in the weeks ahead.
Particulars of the Supposed "The Midnight Sun Plan"
Prosecutors stated that one of the individuals had drafted a detailed blueprint last month to target multiple commercial sites across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The locations were described as "like Amazon" logistical warehouses.
"The bomb plot was explicit," an official said. "It laid out step-by-step instructions to build IEDs … and listed numerous targets across the county of Orange and Los Angeles."
As per the investigation and court documents, the plan entailed positioning rucksacks containing complex pipe bombs that were planned to be set off all at once at midnight on New Year's Eve at five sites. New Year's Eve was identified as an perfect time since the scheme indicated "fireworks will be going off at this time so blast noises will be harder to be detected."
An eight-page handwritten plan, titled "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," stated that more targets could be added. The sites were described as assets and buildings operated by two different companies connected with operations related to national and international trade.
Additional Plans and Materials Found
The investigation also stated that two individuals in the group had talked about later strikes focusing on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and cars with IEDs in 2026. One individual allegedly said that such attacks "would eliminate some and scare the rest of them."
These plans were allegedly discussed both at an physical gathering in Los Angeles and through an encrypted communication application.
Photos contained in the case file depict a remote camp with what investigators said were bomb-making items laid out on makeshift work surfaces.
The filing notes that the group "carried IED parts to the location, such as various sizes of tubes, believed to be potassium nitrate, fuel, charcoal powder, sulfur powder, and items to be used as detonators, and more."
The scheme also included guidance on how to manufacture the devices and how to not leave behind traces that could be traced back to the individuals. The accused had recently acquired precursor chemicals and other items, via purchases from online retailers.
Apprehension and Aftermath
Federal agents took action last week as the group were running through the operation in the remote area near a California town. "They possessed all the components they required to make an working IED at that site," the prosecutor commented.
In the course of carried out search warrants, authorities reportedly discovered flyers for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one individual's home that called for "Down with America", and "Death to ICE". At another accused's home, police found a duplicate of the detailed explosives scheme.
The suspects were arrested without a struggle. They were set to appear in court in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.
