Four individuals charged with planning New Year’s Eve attacks in Southern California, according to prosecutors.
Authorities Disrupt New Year’s Eve Bombing Plot in Southern California
Federal authorities have successfully thwarted a plot to detonate explosives at multiple companies in Southern California on New Year’s Eve. The announcement came on Monday following the arrest of four individuals associated with an extremist group that holds anti-capitalist and anti-government views.
The arrests took place on Friday in the desert east of Los Angeles, where the suspects were allegedly testing explosive devices. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli provided details during a press conference, including aerial surveillance footage that showed the suspects moving a large black object to a table shortly before their apprehension.
The suspects have been identified as Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41, all residents of the Los Angeles area. The group is reportedly affiliated with the Turtle Island Liberation Front, an offshoot of a pro-Palestinian movement. The charges against them include conspiracy and possession of a destructive device, as detailed in court documents.
While officials did not publicly disclose the specific motivations behind the plot, Essayli remarked that Carroll had developed a detailed plan to target five or more locations in Southern California, specifically identifying operations similar to logistics centers run by major companies, described as “Amazon-type” facilities. The criminal complaint revealed that Carroll provided step-by-step instructions for creating improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and listed multiple targets across Orange County and Los Angeles.
Moreover, it has come to light that two of the suspects discussed possible future attacks against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and vehicles, with plans including the use of pipe bombs projected for implementation in 2026. This information was gathered from both a face-to-face meeting in Los Angeles and communications through an encrypted messaging platform.
Evidence uncovered by investigators at the suspects’ campsite included numerous bomb-making materials scattered across plastic folding tables. These components featured various sizes of PVC pipes, suspected potassium nitrate, charcoal, sulfur powder, and fuse materials, leading authorities to conclude that the group possessed everything necessary to create an operational bomb at the testing location.
The suspects were scheduled to appear in court in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon, marking a significant moment in the ongoing efforts of federal authorities to counter domestic extremism. As investigations continue, the case underscores the growing vigilance required to address threats to public safety.
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