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Federal agents announced on Monday that they had successfully thwarted a detailed scheme to explode bombs at multiple sites belonging to two American businesses on New Year's Eve in Southern California. This action resulted from the arrest of suspects linked to an extremist group advocating for anti-capitalist and anti-authority beliefs.

Those Arrested Apprehended During Isolated Rehearsal

The four people were detained last Friday in the remote area found east of Los Angeles as they were allegedly rehearsing their proposed operation. Officials presented aerial surveillance footage to the media, which showed the suspects moving a large black device to a surface. Officials noted that the arrests took place ahead of the suspects could put together a operational explosive device.

Details of the Suspects Disclosed

According to the submitted criminal complaint, the four suspects named are a 30-year-old named Audrey Illeene Carroll; Zachary Aaron Page, 32 years old; 24-year-old Dante Gaffield; and Tina Lai, 41. All four are reportedly from the LA vicinity.

Reported Motive and Ties

While prosecutors did not clearly outline a reason, they stated the suspects are adherents of a faction known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This entity according to documents advocates for "workers to rise up and combat against corporate power," as per the legal filing.

They face include conspiracy to commit a crime and owning a destructive device. The government indicated that additional charges are likely in the next few weeks.

Elements of the Supposed "Midnight Sun Operation"

Officials said that one of the individuals had drafted a step-by-step plan last month to bomb five or more business locations across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The intended sites were likened to "similar to Amazon" logistical centers.

"The plan was detailed," a prosecutor stated. "It included step-by-step instructions to construct explosive devices … and identified several sites across Orange County and Los Angeles."

As per the case and legal filings, the plot involved placing bags packed with sophisticated pipe bombs that were scheduled to be exploded simultaneously at midnight on New Year's Eve at five sites. New Year's Eve was identified as an perfect time as the plan indicated "celebratory explosions will be going off at this time so detonations will be less likely to be heard."

An eight-page longhand document, titled "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," noted that further targets could be incorporated. The facilities were described as property and operations owned by two separate firms connected with activities involving commerce.

Future Plans and Materials Seized

The investigation also revealed that two individuals in the collective had talked about later attacks focusing on immigration enforcement officers and transport with pipe bombs in 2026. One suspect reportedly said that such actions "would take some of them out and scare the rest of them."

Such discussions were allegedly planned both at an face-to-face assembly in Los Angeles and through an private digital platform.

Pictures contained in the court documents show a remote camp with what officials said were IED-construction materials strewn across plastic folding tables.

Official documents details that the group "all brought explosive materials to the campsite, among them various sizes of PVC pipes, identified as potassium nitrate, charcoal briquettes, powdered charcoal, powdered sulfur, and components to be used as fuses, along with other items."

The plan also included directions on how to manufacture the devices and how to avoid leaving evidence that could be connected back to the faction. The accused had recently purchased components and other materials, including acquisitions from e-commerce sites.

Operation and Follow-up

The FBI took action last week while the suspects were rehearsing the strike in the remote area near Twentynine Palms. "They had everything they needed to construct an working IED at that site," the attorney said.

In the course of carried out searches, authorities allegedly found signs for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one accused's residence that demanded "Down with America", and "ICE Must Go". At another individual's residence, police discovered a duplicate of the detailed attack blueprint.

Those arrested were arrested without incident. They were scheduled to appear in court in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.