Federal Officials Announce Arrests in Thwarted New Year's Explosive Plot Close to LA

Federal agents announced on Monday that they had managed to foil a detailed scheme to set off bombs at several locations belonging to two US-based businesses on New Year's Eve in Southern California. The move resulted from the arrest of people linked to an extremist offshoot promoting anti-capitalist and anti-authority beliefs.

Suspects Detained During Desert Dry Run

The four individuals were arrested last Friday in the desert region found east of Los Angeles at the time they were reportedly practicing their intended operation. Federal attorneys displayed from above reconnaissance images to the media, that captured the individuals transporting a large obscure item to a workspace. Officials emphasized that the detainments took place before the individuals could put together a working bomb.

Details of the Suspects Made Public

Based on the public legal filing, the four individuals named are Carroll, aged 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32 years old; 24-year-old Dante Gaffield; and Tina Lai, who is 41. The group are understood to be from the greater Los Angeles region.

Suspected Driving Force and Connections

Even though prosecutors did not directly detail a rationale, they said the suspects are part of a splinter group called the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This entity allegedly calls for "the working class to rise up and fight back against the capitalist system," according to the court papers.

They face involve conspiracy and owning a destructive device. The government stated that additional accusations are expected in the next few weeks.

Details of the Reported "The Midnight Sun Plan"

Officials revealed that one of the individuals had created a detailed blueprint last month to attack multiple commercial sites across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The targets were described as "similar to Amazon" distribution hubs.

"The bomb plot was detailed," an official stated. "It contained step-by-step instructions to make bombs … and identified numerous sites across Orange county and Los Angeles."

According to the case and court documents, the plot called for planting rucksacks containing sophisticated pipe bombs that were set to be exploded at the same time at midnight on New Year's Eve at five sites. New Year's Eve was chosen as an perfect time because the scheme indicated "fireworks will be going off at this time so blast noises will be less likely to be heard."

The eight-page handwritten plan, called "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," stated that more sites could be added. The facilities were categorized as property and facilities operated by two distinct firms connected with operations affecting national and international trade.

Long-term Plans and Evidence Seized

Court documents also revealed that two people in the faction had talked about subsequent operations aimed at ICE agents personnel and cars with pipe bombs in 2026. One suspect reportedly noted that such actions "would eliminate some and intimidate the rest of them."

The plotting were reportedly discussed both at an physical assembly in Los Angeles and through an encrypted digital platform.

Images featured in the legal filings depict a isolated site with what investigators described as explosives-manufacturing items scattered on portable tables.

The complaint states that the suspects "all brought IED parts to the location, among them assorted sizes of tubes, suspected potassium nitrate, charcoal briquettes, charcoal powder, powdered sulfur, and items to be used as igniters, and more."

The plan also included guidance on how to build the explosives and how to avoid leaving evidence that could be linked back to the group. The individuals had not long ago purchased precursor chemicals and other items, with buys from e-commerce sites.

Arrest and Aftermath

Authorities moved in last week when the suspects were practicing the attack in the isolated region near a desert community. "They possessed all the components they were necessary to make an working IED at that site," an official said.

During executed searches, officials allegedly discovered posters for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one suspect's residence that demanded "America Must Fall", and "ICE Must Go". At another accused's home, police located a version of the elaborate attack blueprint.

The suspects were detained without a struggle. They were set to make a court appearance in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.