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Federal agents announced on Monday that they had successfully thwarted a comprehensive scheme to explode bombs at multiple locations belonging to two corporate businesses on New Year's Eve in the LA region. The move resulted from the apprehension of people part of an extremist group advocating for anti-system and anti-authority views.

Individuals Detained During Isolated Practice

The four suspects were taken into custody last Friday in the remote area located east of Los Angeles at the time they were according to officials running through their planned operation. Prosecutors displayed overhead reconnaissance images to reporters, which showed the suspects moving a sizeable black device to a surface. Law enforcement emphasized that the arrests took place ahead of the suspects could construct a working explosive device.

Names of the Accused Made Public

As per the filed court documents, the four people listed are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32 years old; Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41. Each of them are reportedly from the greater Los Angeles region.

Reported Motivation and Group Affiliations

Although authorities did not directly outline a rationale, they said the suspects are part of a splinter group called the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This entity reportedly calls for "laborers to rebel and combat against corporate power," as per the legal filing.

The charges comprise conspiracy and owning a destructive device. Officials noted that further accusations are expected in the coming weeks.

Elements of the Supposed "The Midnight Sun Plan"

Prosecutors revealed that one of the individuals had drafted a detailed scheme last month to target five or more business locations across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The locations were characterized as "similar to Amazon" distribution warehouses.

"The plan was specific," the attorney said. "It included a precise guide to make bombs … and listed numerous targets across the county of Orange and Los Angeles."

According to the case and court documents, the plan called for positioning rucksacks packed with complex IEDs that were scheduled to be set off all at once at midnight on New Year's Eve at five locations. New Year's Eve was chosen as an ideal time because the plan indicated "fireworks will be going off at this time so blast noises will be less likely to be heard."

The eight-page manually written plan, named "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," suggested that additional sites could be included. The facilities were described as assets and facilities operated by two different corporations involved in activities involving commerce.

Long-term Plots and Proof Seized

The investigation also indicated that two people in the group had discussed later operations targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and cars with IEDs in 2026. One individual allegedly said that such attacks "would take some of them out and scare the rest of them."

The plotting were allegedly planned both at an in-person gathering in Los Angeles and through an secure communication application.

Images included in the legal filings reveal a remote camp with what officials identified as bomb-making materials scattered on makeshift work surfaces.

Official documents notes that the individuals "each brought explosive materials to the campsite, including various sizes of plastic pipes, identified as a chemical compound, charcoal, fuel powder, powdered sulfur, and material to be used as igniters, and more."

The scheme also contained directions on how to manufacture the explosives and how to not leave behind forensic clues that could be linked back to the faction. The suspects had in the recent past acquired chemical ingredients and other materials, including buys from e-commerce sites.

Apprehension and Subsequent Actions

The FBI took action last week as the group were practicing the strike in the remote area near Twentynine Palms. "They owned everything they required to build an working IED at that location," the attorney stated.

During carried out raids, officials allegedly found flyers for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one accused's dwelling that demanded "Death to America", and "Eliminate ICE". At another accused's apartment, police found a copy of the detailed bomb plan.

Those arrested were taken into custody without incident. They were set to appear in court in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.