Federal authorities reported on Monday that they thwarted a plan to bomb several U.S. companies in Southern California on New Year’s Eve. Members of an extremist group with anti-capitalist and anti-government views were arrested as they were testing explosives in the desert east of Los Angeles, according to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.
The four suspects, Audrey Illeene Carroll, Zachary Aaron Page, Dante Gaffield, and Tina Lai, were apprehended while moving a large black object in the desert shortly before their arrests. They are residents of the Los Angeles area and are associated with a faction of a pro-Palestinian organization known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front.
Charges against the suspects include conspiracy and possession of a destructive device, with additional charges expected in the coming weeks. The group had allegedly planned to bomb multiple locations across Southern California on New Year’s Eve, targeting companies similar to Amazon’s logistical centers.
The plan involved planting explosive devices in backpacks at various businesses to detonate simultaneously at midnight. Furthermore, discussions among the group members revealed intentions to target Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and vehicles with pipe bombs in 2026.
Authorities discovered bomb-making materials at a desert campsite where the suspects had gathered, including PVC pipes, potassium nitrate, charcoal, sulfur powder, and other components. The suspects had rehearsed their attack and tested devices in the desert before being arrested.
Search warrants executed at the suspects’ residences uncovered incriminating evidence, such as posters advocating violence against America and ICE. Despite differing opinions on immigration policies, federal and local officials collaborated successfully to prevent the potential attack.
The suspects were taken into custody without resistance and were set to appear in court in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.