Feds Foil New Year’s Eve Bomb Plot in California; Four Extremists Charged in Terror Case
LOS ANGELES — Federal authorities have disrupted a coordinated New Year’s Eve bomb plot targeting multiple corporate sites across Southern California, arresting four alleged members of a militant anti-capitalist, anti-government extremist group before they could assemble a working explosive device.
Four Suspects Arrested During Desert Rehearsal
Officials say Audrey Illeene Carroll (30), Zachary Aaron Page (32), Dante Gaffield (24), and Tina Lai (41) were arrested Friday in the Mojave Desert during what investigators described as a full-scale rehearsal for the attack.
Aerial surveillance footage, shown during a federal news conference, captured the group moving a large black object toward a table believed to be part of their bomb-testing setup. Prosecutors confirmed the FBI moved in before the suspects completed a functional device.
The suspects are all residents of the Los Angeles area.
Extremist Ideology Linked to Group’s Bomb Plot
According to a federal criminal complaint, all four suspects are part of an offshoot of the Turtle Island Liberation Front, a group that promotes:
- Decolonization
- Tribal sovereignty
- Anti-capitalist, anti-government uprising
Investigators also discovered “Free Palestine” flyers scattered at the desert site where bomb-making materials were staged. Officials did not say the flyers were tied to the plot itself, but confirmed they were recovered as part of the evidence.
“Operation Midnight Sun”: Multiple Targets, Detailed Plan
Prosecutors revealed that Carroll developed an eight-page handwritten plan titled “Operation Midnight Sun,” outlining simultaneous bombings at five or more corporate logistical centers on New Year’s Eve.
Key elements of the plan included:
- Use of backpacks filled with complex pipe bombs
- Detonation at midnight, using fireworks noise as cover
- Step-by-step IED construction instructions
- Potential for additional targets
- Strategies for avoiding forensic detection
Officials declined to name the targeted companies but described them as Amazon-type distribution locations.
Plans for Future Attacks in 2026
The complaint alleges two members discussed additional attacks planned for 2026, including:
- Bombing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicles
- Targeting ICE agents with explosive devices
Carroll allegedly remarked that such attacks would “take some of them out and scare the rest of them,” according to court documents.
Search Warrants Reveal Additional Evidence
Search warrants executed at the suspects’ homes uncovered:
- Detailed bomb plans found in Page’s residence
- Posters at Carroll’s home stating “Death to America” and “Death to ICE”
- Amazon purchase records for precursor chemicals
- PVC pipes, charcoal powders, sulfur powder, fuse materials, and other components
Officials confirmed the group had “everything they needed to make an operational bomb” at their campsite.
Law Enforcement Coordination Credited With Preventing Mass-Casualty Attack
Federal officials emphasized the success of joint operations among:
- FBI
- Los Angeles Police Department
- Federal Task Force partners
- Local agencies
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell noted that while immigration enforcement policy disagreements exist between local authorities and federal officials, public safety cooperation remains absolute.
“The successful disruption of this plot is a powerful testament to the strength of our unified response,” McDonnell said.
Charges and Court Appearance
Each suspect faces:
- Conspiracy
- Possession of a destructive device
- Additional federal charges expected
All four were taken into custody without incident and were scheduled to appear in federal court Monday afternoon.