US authorities stated on Monday that they had successfully thwarted a detailed plot to explode IEDs at multiple facilities belonging to two corporate firms on New Year's Eve in the LA region. The operation came after the apprehension of suspects linked to an radical faction promoting anti-capitalist and anti-authority ideologies.
Those Arrested Taken Into Custody During Remote Rehearsal
Four suspects were taken into custody last Friday in the desert region situated east of Los Angeles while they were according to officials practicing their proposed attack. Prosecutors displayed aerial surveillance footage to journalists, which captured the group transporting a big black object to a workspace. Officials noted that the detainments were made ahead of the individuals could put together a fully functional explosive device.
Identities of the Accused Disclosed
Based on the submitted criminal complaint, the four suspects listed are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32 years old; Gaffield, 24; and Lai, 41. All four are reportedly from the greater Los Angeles region.
Reported Motivation and Group Affiliations
While officials did not directly detail a rationale, they said the suspects are adherents of a splinter group called the Turtle Island Liberation Front. The group reportedly advocates for "laborers to rise up and fight back against the capitalist system," based on the court papers.
They face comprise conspiracy to commit a crime and owning a bomb. Prosecutors noted that more accusations are likely in the weeks ahead.
Details of the Reported "Operation Midnight Sun"
Officials stated that one of the accused had devised a meticulous scheme last month to attack multiple commercial sites across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The targets were likened to "similar to Amazon" distribution hubs.
"The plan was explicit," an official said. "It contained a precise guide to construct explosive devices … and named numerous targets across Orange county and Los Angeles."
As per the case and the complaint, the scheme entailed positioning backpacks filled with intricate IEDs that were scheduled to be set off simultaneously at midnight on New Year's Eve at five locations. New Year's Eve was identified as an ideal time since the scheme noted "celebratory explosions will be going off at this time so detonations will be less likely to be noticed."
An eight-page longhand blueprint, named "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," suggested that further sites could be included. The facilities were described as premises and operations run by two separate companies involved in activities involving commerce.
Long-term Schemes and Proof Seized
Court documents also revealed that two members in the group had talked about later operations aimed at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and vehicles with explosives in 2026. One individual allegedly noted that such attacks "would take some of them out and scare the rest of them."
Such discussions were reportedly planned both at an face-to-face gathering in Los Angeles and through an encrypted digital platform.
Images featured in the legal filings show a remote camp with what investigators described as bomb-making items laid out on portable tables.
The filing states that the suspects "all brought IED parts to the campsite, such as assorted sizes of tubes, identified as an oxidizer, charcoal, charcoal powder, powdered sulfur, and components to be used as detonators, along with other items."
The scheme also had guidance on how to build the bombs and how to not leave behind traces that could be linked back to the faction. The accused had in the recent past acquired components and other materials, via purchases from e-commerce sites.
Arrest and Subsequent Actions
Authorities intervened last week while the suspects were practicing the attack in the isolated region near a desert community. "They possessed every item they were necessary to build an working IED at that place," the prosecutor said.
During carried out search warrants, authorities reportedly found signs for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one individual's dwelling that called for "Death to America", and "Eliminate ICE". At another individual's home, police found a duplicate of the comprehensive attack blueprint.
The individuals were taken into custody peacefully. They were scheduled to face a judge in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.
