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US authorities announced on Monday that they had managed to foil a comprehensive scheme to set off bombs at multiple sites belonging to two US-based businesses on New Year's Eve in the LA region. This action followed the apprehension of individuals linked to an extremist faction advocating for anti-corporate and anti-government views.

Suspects Detained During Isolated Rehearsal

A quartet of people were taken into custody last Friday in the desert region found east of Los Angeles at the time they were according to officials rehearsing their proposed attack. Prosecutors displayed overhead reconnaissance footage to reporters, which showed the suspects transporting a big dark device to a workspace. Officials noted that the detainments occurred ahead of the suspects could construct a working explosive device.

Names of the Suspects Disclosed

According to the public court documents, the four people named are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32 years old; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41. All four are understood to be from the greater Los Angeles area.

Suspected Motivation and Ties

While authorities did not directly detail a reason, they said the group are part of a faction known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This entity according to documents calls for "the working class to rise up and resist against corporate power," based on the court papers.

The charges involve conspiracy and owning a destructive device. The government indicated that additional accusations are anticipated in the weeks ahead.

Elements of the Reported "The Midnight Sun Plan"

Prosecutors said that one of the individuals had devised a step-by-step plan last month to target at least five commercial sites across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The targets were likened to "like Amazon" fulfillment warehouses.

"This scheme was detailed," a prosecutor stated. "It laid out step-by-step instructions to construct explosive devices … and named multiple objectives across Orange County and Los Angeles."

As per the case and the complaint, the plot called for placing rucksacks containing sophisticated IEDs that were planned to be exploded all at once at midnight on New Year's Eve at several sites. New Year's Eve was identified as an opportune time since the plan stated "celebratory explosions will be going off at this time so explosions will be harder to be noticed."

The eight-page handwritten document, titled "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," stated that further locations could be added. The facilities were identified as property and facilities run by two different firms tied to operations affecting interstate and foreign commerce.

Additional Plots and Materials Seized

The investigation also stated that two individuals in the faction had planned later strikes targeting ICE agents officers and transport with explosives in 2026. One suspect allegedly commented that such strikes "would take some of them out and frighten the rest of them."

Such discussions were allegedly planned both at an physical assembly in Los Angeles and through an encrypted messaging app.

Photos featured in the case file depict a remote camp with what authorities described as IED-construction materials strewn across makeshift work surfaces.

The complaint states that the suspects "each brought IED parts to the site, such as different sizes of plastic pipes, suspected an oxidizer, charcoal, powdered charcoal, sulfur powder, and components to be used as igniters, among others."

Instructions also contained guidance on how to build the bombs and how to avoid leaving traces that could be connected back to the group. The individuals had in the recent past acquired precursor chemicals and other goods, with purchases from major websites.

Arrest and Follow-up

The FBI took action last week as the individuals were rehearsing the attack in the desert near a desert community. "They owned everything they were necessary to construct an functional bomb at that place," the attorney commented.

During served search warrants, officials reportedly located signs for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one accused's dwelling that advocated "Death to America", and "ICE Must Go". At another accused's home, police found a version of the elaborate attack blueprint.

Those arrested were detained without a struggle. They were due to face a judge in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.