Federal Authorities Announce Detainment in Disrupted Year-End Terror Plot Near Los Angeles
US authorities declared on Monday that they had effectively disrupted a detailed scheme to detonate explosive devices at several sites belonging to two American companies on New Year's Eve in Southern California. The operation followed the arrest of people linked to an militant faction promoting anti-capitalist and anti-authority beliefs.
Individuals Detained During Isolated Rehearsal
Four people were detained last Friday in the remote area situated east of Los Angeles at the time they were reportedly rehearsing their planned attack. Prosecutors presented overhead monitoring video to reporters, that captured the suspects carrying a large black device to a workspace. Law enforcement emphasized that the arrests took place ahead of the group could construct a fully functional IED.
Names of the Those Charged Made Public
Based on the submitted legal filing, the four people named are Carroll, aged 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32 years old; 24-year-old Dante Gaffield; and Lai, 41. Each of them are reportedly from the Los Angeles vicinity.
Reported Motive and Group Affiliations
While prosecutors did not clearly detail a reason, they said the individuals are members of a offshoot known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This entity allegedly advocates for "the working class to rise up and fight back against capitalism," based on the court papers.
The charges involve plotting and having a explosive. Prosecutors indicated that additional accusations are likely in the weeks ahead.
Elements of the Supposed "Midnight Sun Operation"
Prosecutors stated that one of the individuals had drafted a detailed blueprint last month to target at least five business locations across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The intended sites were characterized as "Amazon-type" distribution hubs.
"The plan was specific," the attorney stated. "It laid out detailed directions to make bombs … and named numerous targets across the county of Orange and Los Angeles."
Based on the case and legal filings, the plan called for planting backpacks filled with sophisticated pipe bombs that were set to be detonated all at once at midnight on New Year's Eve at five sites. New Year's Eve was chosen as an opportune time because the document stated "fireworks will be going off at this time so detonations will be more difficult to be heard."
The eight-page handwritten plan, called "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," noted that further sites could be added. The sites were described as assets and operations owned by two different companies tied to business related to commerce.
Additional Plans and Materials Uncovered
Court documents also indicated that two members in the collective had planned future strikes focusing on immigration enforcement agents and transport with explosives in 2026. One accused reportedly said that such actions "would take some of them out and intimidate the rest of them."
The plotting were allegedly discussed both at an physical gathering in Los Angeles and through an encrypted digital platform.
Pictures included in the case file reveal a remote camp with what authorities identified as IED-construction items laid out on portable tables.
The complaint notes that the suspects "all brought IED parts to the site, such as different sizes of plastic pipes, suspected a chemical compound, charcoal briquettes, charcoal powder, powdered sulfur, and material to be used as igniters, along with other items."
The plan also included steps on how to construct the explosives and how to avoid leaving traces that could be traced back to the faction. The accused had recently acquired chemical ingredients and other items, with buys from e-commerce sites.
Arrest and Aftermath
Federal agents moved in last week as the individuals were rehearsing the strike in the isolated region near a desert community. "They possessed everything they needed to construct an functional explosive device at that location," an official commented.
During served raids, investigators allegedly located posters for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one accused's residence that called for "America Must Fall", and "Eliminate ICE". At another accused's apartment, police discovered a duplicate of the elaborate explosives scheme.
Those arrested were detained without a struggle. They were set to make a court appearance in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.
