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Federal agents declared on Monday that they had managed to foil a elaborate plan to detonate IEDs at numerous sites belonging to two corporate firms on New Year's Eve in the southern part of the state. The move came after the arrest of suspects linked to an militant faction espousing anti-system and anti-government beliefs.

Those Arrested Apprehended During Remote Rehearsal

Four individuals were taken into custody last Friday in the Mojave Desert found east of Los Angeles while they were reportedly practicing their intended operation. Federal attorneys presented from above monitoring video to the media, which captured the suspects carrying a sizeable dark device to a surface. Law enforcement stressed that the apprehensions took place prior to the individuals could put together a fully functional explosive device.

Identities of the Suspects Disclosed

Based on the filed criminal complaint, the four individuals identified are a 30-year-old named Audrey Illeene Carroll; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41. The group are said to be from the Los Angeles region.

Alleged Motivation and Group Affiliations

Even though authorities did not directly describe a rationale, they indicated the suspects are members of a splinter group called the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This organization allegedly advocates for "laborers to rise up and fight back against the capitalist system," based on the legal filing.

They face include conspiracy to commit a crime and owning a destructive device. Prosecutors stated that additional accusations are anticipated in the weeks ahead.

Particulars of the Alleged "Operation Midnight Sun"

Prosecutors stated that one of the suspects had created a detailed scheme last month to target at least five corporate facilities across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The targets were likened to "like Amazon" distribution centers.

"This scheme was specific," the attorney said. "It laid out step-by-step instructions to build IEDs … and listed several sites across the county of Orange and Los Angeles."

Based on the case and court documents, the scheme entailed placing backpacks filled with sophisticated pipe bombs that were planned to be exploded simultaneously at midnight on New Year's Eve at five places. New Year's Eve was seen as an perfect time since the plan stated "celebratory explosions will be going off at this time so blast noises will be harder to be noticed."

The handwritten, eight-page longhand document, named "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," suggested that additional sites could be incorporated. The facilities were described as premises and operations run by two separate firms involved in operations related to interstate and foreign commerce.

Additional Plots and Materials Seized

Court documents also indicated that two people in the collective had discussed subsequent operations focusing on immigration enforcement officers and cars with IEDs in 2026. One individual allegedly commented that such attacks "would eliminate some and intimidate the rest of them."

These plans were allegedly discussed both at an physical assembly in Los Angeles and through an private messaging app.

Photos featured in the legal filings show a remote camp with what authorities identified as IED-construction materials laid out on makeshift work surfaces.

The filing notes that the individuals "carried explosive materials to the location, including different sizes of PVC pipes, believed to be potassium nitrate, fuel, charcoal powder, sulfur powder, and material to be used as fuses, along with other items."

Instructions also contained steps on how to construct the explosives and how to not leave behind forensic clues that could be traced back to the individuals. The individuals had recently obtained precursor chemicals and other goods, via purchases from e-commerce sites.

Apprehension and Subsequent Actions

Authorities moved in last week while the group were practicing the operation in the desert near a California town. "They owned every item they required to build an operational bomb at that location," an official said.

During carried out searches, authorities reportedly located flyers for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one accused's home that demanded "America Must Fall", and "Death to ICE". At another individual's residence, police found a duplicate of the detailed attack blueprint.

The suspects were detained without incident. They were due to appear in court in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.