Federal Authorities Foil New Year’s Eve Bomb Plot in Southern California

In a dramatic turn of events, federal agents announced Monday that they thwarted a planned bombing campaign targeting multiple U.S. company sites on New Year’s Eve in Southern California. The operation culminated in the arrest of four suspects in the Mojave Desert east of Los Angeles, just as they were rehearsing the attack.

Arrests and Immediate Evidence

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli revealed the details during a press conference. He showed reporters surveillance footage of the suspects moving a large black object on a table in the desert, indicating preparation for a bomb. The four arrested individuals—Audrey Illeene Carroll (30), Zachary Aaron Page (32), Dante Gaffield (24), and Tina Lai (41)—all hail from the Los Angeles area.

Essayli noted that the arrests occurred before the suspects could assemble a functional explosive device. The FBI had moved in the week prior, as the group rehearsed near Twentynine Palms. Search warrants uncovered bomb‑making materials, including PVC pipes, potassium nitrate, charcoal, sulfur powder, and fuses, scattered across plastic folding tables.

Details of the Planned Attack

According to the criminal complaint, Carroll had crafted a handwritten plan titled “OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN.” The plan called for planting backpacks filled with complex pipe bombs at five or more locations across Orange County and Los Angeles, all to detonate simultaneously at midnight on New Year’s Eve. The document emphasized that fireworks would mask the explosions, reducing the chance of detection.

The plan listed “Amazon‑type” logistical centers as targets, though the specific companies were not named. The suspects also discussed future attacks on Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and vehicles in 2026, with Carroll noting that such actions would “take some of them out and scare the rest of them.”

Group Background and Motives

Essayli said the suspects belong to an offshoot of a group known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front. The complaint describes the organization as anti‑capitalist and anti‑government, calling for decolonization, tribal sovereignty, and “the working class to rise up and fight back against capitalism.”

The term “Turtle Island” is used by some Indigenous peoples to describe North America outside colonial boundaries, rooted in creation stories where the continent sits on a giant turtle’s back.

At the desert campsite, investigators found flyers promoting “Free Palestine,” indicating the suspects’ broader political stance. Posters for the Turtle Island Liberation Front were also discovered at Carroll’s home, calling for “Death to America” and “Death to ICE.”

Legal Proceedings and Statements

The suspects were taken into custody without incident and are scheduled to appear in court in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon. Essayli said additional charges are expected in the coming weeks.

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell addressed the situation, emphasizing cooperation between federal and local authorities. He stated, “The successful disruption of this plot is a powerful testament to the strength of our unified response.” McDonnell reiterated that the LAPD does not enforce immigration laws and has not stopped people for immigration status.

The suspects’ attorneys have not yet responded to requests for comment, and the Associated Press could not reach family members. Messages were also sent to the Turtle Island Liberation Front’s social media accounts, but no reply was received.

Key Takeaways

• Four suspects linked to the Turtle Island Liberation Front were arrested in the Mojave Desert after rehearsing a New Year’s Eve bomb plot.
• The plan targeted five or more “Amazon‑type” logistical centers, with bombs set to detonate at midnight.
• Investigators found bomb‑making materials, “Free Palestine” flyers, and extremist posters at the campsite and Carroll’s home.

The operation underscores the vigilance of federal and local law‑enforcement agencies in preventing domestic terrorism and highlights the ongoing threat posed by extremist groups with anti‑government agendas.