FBI Thwarts New Year's Eve Bomb Plot: Four Anti-Government Extremists Arrested in California

Federal authorities announced Monday they had thwarted a plot to bomb multiple U.S. company sites in Southern California on New Year's Eve, leading to the arrest of four members of an extremist anti-capitalist group.

The suspects were apprehended Friday in the Mojave Desert east of Los Angeles while rehearsing their attack plan, according to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. During a news conference, officials shared aerial surveillance footage showing the suspects moving a large black object to a table in the desert. Authorities intervened before the suspects could assemble a functional explosive device.

The criminal complaint identifies the suspects as Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41, all Los Angeles area residents.

Officials stated the suspects belong to an offshoot of the Turtle Island Liberation Front, a group advocating for decolonization, tribal sovereignty, and urging the working class to "rise up and fight back against capitalism." The term "Turtle Island" references some Indigenous peoples' name for North America, derived from creation stories describing the continent forming on a giant turtle's back.

Investigators discovered "Free Palestine" flyers at the desert campsite where bomb-making materials were being handled by the suspects.

Each suspect faces charges including conspiracy and possession of a destructive device, with additional charges expected in coming weeks, according to Essayli.

Essayli revealed that Carroll had created a detailed plan last month to bomb five or more business locations throughout Southern California on New Year's Eve. While declining to name specific targets, he described them as "Amazon-type" logistics centers.

"Carroll's bomb plot was explicit," Essayli stated. "It included step-by-step instructions to build IEDs... and listed multiple targets across Orange County and Los Angeles."

The plot involved planting backpacks containing complex pipe bombs programmed for simultaneous detonation at midnight on New Year's Eve across five locations. According to the investigation, the plan, titled "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," specifically chose New Year's Eve because "fireworks will be going off at this time so explosions will be less likely to be noticed."

The criminal complaint also revealed discussions among group members about future attacks targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and vehicles with pipe bombs in 2026. Carroll reportedly noted such attacks "would take some of them out and scare the rest of them."

Plans were discussed both in-person at Los Angeles meetings and through encrypted messaging apps, according to officials.

Court documents include photos showing a desert campsite with bomb-making materials spread across plastic folding tables. The suspects "all brought bomb-making components to the campsite, including various sizes of PVC pipes, suspected potassium nitrate, charcoal, charcoal powder, sulfur powder, and material to be used as fuses, among others," states the complaint.

The plan detailed bomb manufacturing instructions and methods to avoid leaving traceable evidence. According to the complaint, the suspects had recently acquired precursor chemicals and other necessary items, including purchases from Amazon.

The FBI intervened last week as the suspects rehearsed their attack near Twentynine Palms, California. "They had everything they needed to make an operational bomb at that location," Essayli said.

During subsequent searches, authorities found posters at Carroll's home promoting the Turtle Island Liberation Front with messages including "Death to America" and "Death to ICE." A copy of the detailed bomb plan was discovered at Page's residence.

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell emphasized that despite disagreements with the Trump administration's immigration raids, federal and local officials collaborated effectively to protect residents. He noted the LAPD's 45-year practice of not stopping people or taking action related to immigration status.

"The successful disruption of this plot is a powerful testament to the strength of our unified response," McDonnell stated.

The suspects were taken into custody without incident and scheduled for a Monday afternoon court appearance in Los Angeles.