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Federal agents declared on Monday that they had effectively disrupted a detailed plan to detonate explosive devices at multiple sites run by two corporate firms on New Year's Eve in the LA region. The operation came after the apprehension of people linked to an militant offshoot advocating for anti-corporate and anti-authority beliefs.

Individuals Taken Into Custody During Isolated Dry Run

The four suspects were arrested last Friday in the remote area located east of Los Angeles while they were reportedly running through their intended attack. Prosecutors displayed aerial reconnaissance images to journalists, that showed the group carrying a sizeable dark item to a surface. Authorities emphasized that the detainments took place prior to the group could assemble a fully functional bomb.

Identities of the Suspects Made Public

Based on the filed criminal complaint, the four suspects listed are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41. Each of them are said to be from the LA region.

Alleged Driving Force and Ties

Although prosecutors did not clearly detail a reason, they stated the group are members of a splinter group known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front. The group according to documents calls for "laborers to rise up and fight back against capitalism," according to the criminal complaint.

The charges include conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of a bomb. Prosecutors stated that more charges are anticipated in the next few weeks.

Details of the Supposed "Midnight Sun Operation"

Prosecutors stated that one of the suspects had devised a step-by-step blueprint last month to bomb multiple business locations across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The intended sites were characterized as "Amazon-type" fulfillment centers.

"The plan was specific," a prosecutor remarked. "It laid out detailed directions to build IEDs … and identified several targets across Orange county and Los Angeles."

As per the probe and legal filings, the plot involved positioning bags containing complex pipe bombs that were set to be set off simultaneously at midnight on New Year's Eve at five sites. New Year's Eve was identified as an opportune time as the document stated "celebratory explosions will be going off at this time so detonations will be more difficult to be detected."

An eight-page manually written document, called "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," noted that further locations could be incorporated. The sites were identified as assets and buildings run by two separate companies tied to operations related to national and international trade.

Additional Schemes and Proof Seized

The investigation also indicated that two individuals in the faction had discussed later attacks aimed at immigration enforcement agents and vehicles with IEDs in 2026. One suspect according to the complaint said that such actions "would kill some and scare the rest of them."

These plans were allegedly discussed both at an in-person assembly in Los Angeles and through an private communication application.

Photos included in the case file depict a desert campsite with what investigators said were explosives-manufacturing items laid out on portable tables.

The complaint states that the individuals "all brought IED parts to the campsite, such as various sizes of plastic pipes, believed to be potassium nitrate, charcoal, charcoal powder, another chemical, and material to be used as detonators, and more."

The plan also contained directions on how to build the explosives and how to not leave behind evidence that could be traced back to the faction. The individuals had in the recent past obtained precursor chemicals and other goods, with buys from online retailers.

Arrest and Follow-up

The FBI moved in last week while the suspects were rehearsing the operation in the isolated region near Twentynine Palms. "They had all the components they were necessary to make an operational bomb at that location," an official said.

During served raids, authorities reportedly located signs for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one accused's residence that demanded "Down with America", and "Death to ICE". At another suspect's residence, police discovered a version of the detailed bomb plan.

The individuals were arrested peacefully. They were scheduled to face a judge in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.