🔗 Share this article

Federal agents announced on Monday that they had effectively disrupted a elaborate scheme to detonate explosive devices at multiple locations run by two US-based companies on New Year's Eve in the southern part of the state. The move resulted from the detainment of suspects linked to an radical offshoot advocating for anti-capitalist and anti-establishment views.

Individuals Apprehended During Desert Practice

Four individuals were detained last Friday in the remote area situated east of Los Angeles as they were allegedly practicing their intended attack. Officials presented overhead monitoring images to journalists, which showed the individuals carrying a sizeable dark device to a workspace. Law enforcement emphasized that the apprehensions took place prior to the group could assemble a fully functional bomb.

Details of the Suspects Released

Based on the submitted criminal complaint, the four individuals identified are Carroll, aged 30; Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, who is 41. All four are understood to be from the Los Angeles vicinity.

Suspected Motive and Connections

Although prosecutors did not clearly describe a motive, they said the suspects are members of a offshoot called the Turtle Island Liberation Front. The group according to documents advocates for "the working class to revolt and resist against capitalism," based on the criminal complaint.

The charges involve conspiracy and owning a bomb. The government noted that more charges are expected in the coming weeks.

Particulars of the Alleged "Midnight Sun Operation"

Prosecutors stated that one of the individuals had drafted a step-by-step scheme last month to bomb multiple commercial sites across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The targets were characterized as "similar to Amazon" fulfillment hubs.

"The plan was explicit," a prosecutor remarked. "It laid out step-by-step instructions to build IEDs … and listed multiple sites across the county of Orange and Los Angeles."

As per the investigation and court documents, the plan involved positioning backpacks containing intricate explosive devices that were planned to be detonated simultaneously at midnight on New Year's Eve at several sites. New Year's Eve was identified as an perfect time because the plan indicated "pyrotechnics will be going off at this time so detonations will be harder to be detected."

An eight-page handwritten blueprint, titled "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," stated that more locations could be included. The facilities were categorized as assets and buildings operated by two separate corporations involved in business related to commerce.

Additional Schemes and Proof Found

The investigation also revealed that two members in the group had planned future attacks targeting immigration enforcement agents and cars with pipe bombs in 2026. One suspect according to the complaint said that such actions "would eliminate some and intimidate the rest of them."

Such discussions were reportedly discussed both at an in-person meeting in Los Angeles and through an private communication application.

Pictures included in the court documents show a isolated site with what officials identified as IED-construction materials laid out on portable tables.

The complaint notes that the group "carried IED parts to the site, including assorted sizes of PVC pipes, suspected a chemical compound, fuel, charcoal powder, sulfur powder, and material to be used as detonators, and more."

The plan also contained directions on how to manufacture the devices and how to prevent leaving evidence that could be traced back to the group. The individuals had in the recent past acquired precursor chemicals and other items, including acquisitions from online retailers.

Operation and Follow-up

The FBI took action last week while the individuals were practicing the operation in the isolated region near a desert community. "They had all the components they required to construct an working bomb at that site," the attorney stated.

As part of served raids, investigators allegedly found posters for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one individual's dwelling that advocated "Death to America", and "Death to ICE". At another suspect's home, police found a copy of the elaborate attack blueprint.

Those arrested were arrested without a struggle. They were due to appear in court in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.