US Officials Announce Arrests in Disrupted Year-End Terror Plan Outside LA
Law enforcement officials stated on Monday that they had successfully thwarted a detailed plan to detonate IEDs at multiple locations belonging to two corporate businesses on New Year's Eve in the LA region. The move resulted from the apprehension of individuals linked to an militant group espousing anti-corporate and anti-government beliefs.
Individuals Detained During Desert Rehearsal
The four suspects were arrested last Friday in the remote area located east of Los Angeles while they were reportedly running through their intended strike. Federal attorneys presented aerial surveillance video to the media, that showed the group carrying a large obscure item to a surface. Law enforcement emphasized that the arrests were made before the group could assemble a fully functional bomb.
Details of the Accused Disclosed
According to the public court documents, the four individuals identified are Carroll, aged 30; Page, 32; 24-year-old Dante Gaffield; and Tina Lai, who is 41. Each of them are said to be from the LA region.
Suspected Motivation and Ties
While prosecutors did not explicitly describe a rationale, they said the group are part of a offshoot dubbed the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This entity reportedly urges "the working class to revolt and fight back against capitalism," based on the court papers.
Each suspect is charged with comprise plotting and having a destructive device. Officials indicated that further accusations are likely in the weeks ahead.
Particulars of the Reported "Operation Midnight Sun"
Prosecutors stated that one of the suspects had devised a detailed plan last month to bomb multiple business locations across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The targets were characterized as "Amazon-type" logistical centers.
"This scheme was specific," an official stated. "It included a precise guide to construct explosive devices … and listed multiple objectives across the county of Orange and Los Angeles."
As per the probe and the complaint, the scheme involved positioning rucksacks packed with complex pipe bombs that were scheduled to be exploded all at once at midnight on New Year's Eve at five sites. New Year's Eve was chosen as an opportune time since the document noted "celebratory explosions will be going off at this time so blast noises will be less likely to be noticed."
The eight-page handwritten document, called "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," suggested that further locations could be incorporated. The sites were categorized as premises and buildings owned by two distinct corporations tied to activities involving commerce.
Additional Plots and Evidence Uncovered
The criminal complaint also indicated that two individuals in the group had talked about future attacks targeting immigration enforcement personnel and transport with pipe bombs in 2026. One individual according to the complaint said that such strikes "would take some of them out and scare the rest of them."
The plotting were reportedly planned both at an in-person gathering in Los Angeles and through an secure messaging app.
Images contained in the court documents show a desert campsite with what authorities said were explosives-manufacturing components scattered on makeshift work surfaces.
Official documents notes that the individuals "each brought bomb-making components to the site, such as different sizes of tubes, suspected a chemical compound, charcoal, charcoal powder, another chemical, and items to be used as fuses, along with other items."
The plan also contained steps on how to manufacture the bombs and how to not leave behind forensic clues that could be traced back to the group. The individuals had recently obtained chemical ingredients and other materials, including purchases from major websites.
Arrest and Follow-up
The FBI intervened last week while the group were running through the strike in the remote area near a desert community. "They had all the components they required to build an working IED at that location," the attorney said.
In the course of carried out searches, officials reportedly found signs for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one individual's dwelling that advocated "Down with America", and "Death to ICE". At another accused's residence, police found a duplicate of the detailed attack blueprint.
Those arrested were taken into custody without incident. They were set to make a court appearance in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.
