US Authorities Disclose Apprehension in Foiled Year-End Bomb Plan Near Southern California

Federal agents stated on Monday that they had effectively disrupted a comprehensive scheme to explode bombs at multiple locations belonging to two American companies on New Year's Eve in Southern California. The operation followed the apprehension of individuals linked to an militant group espousing anti-capitalist and anti-government views.

Individuals Apprehended During Remote Practice

A quartet of suspects were detained last Friday in the desert region situated east of Los Angeles as they were reportedly running through their proposed operation. Prosecutors showed from above surveillance video to the media, that captured the individuals transporting a sizeable obscure device to a workspace. Authorities stressed that the arrests took place prior to the suspects could assemble a working bomb.

Names of the Suspects Released

As per the submitted court documents, the four people listed are Carroll, aged 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32 years old; Gaffield, 24; and Lai, 41. Each of them are said to be from the LA region.

Alleged Motive and Connections

While authorities did not explicitly outline a motive, they said the suspects are adherents of a faction known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This organization according to documents advocates for "workers to revolt and resist against the capitalist system," as per the legal filing.

Each suspect is charged with comprise conspiracy and having a explosive. The government indicated that further charges are anticipated in the next few weeks.

Particulars of the Alleged "The Midnight Sun Plan"

Authorities said that one of the suspects had drafted a detailed blueprint last month to bomb multiple commercial sites across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The targets were characterized as "like Amazon" fulfillment hubs.

"The plan was explicit," an official said. "It contained detailed directions to build IEDs … and identified multiple sites across Orange County and Los Angeles."

Based on the investigation and legal filings, the plan called for positioning backpacks packed with complex IEDs that were set to be exploded at the same time at midnight on New Year's Eve at five sites. New Year's Eve was chosen as an perfect time as the document noted "celebratory explosions will be going off at this time so explosions will be harder to be heard."

The eight-page longhand blueprint, titled "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," noted that additional sites could be added. The sites were categorized as property and operations operated by two distinct companies connected with business involving commerce.

Additional Schemes and Proof Found

The criminal complaint also revealed that two individuals in the group had planned later attacks targeting ICE agents officers and vehicles with pipe bombs in 2026. One suspect allegedly said that such strikes "would eliminate some and frighten the rest of them."

These plans were allegedly discussed both at an in-person gathering in Los Angeles and through an private messaging app.

Pictures included in the case file show a remote camp with what investigators said were explosives-manufacturing components laid out on portable tables.

The complaint details that the group "carried explosive materials to the location, such as various sizes of tubes, identified as potassium nitrate, charcoal, charcoal powder, another chemical, and components to be used as igniters, among others."

The plan also contained guidance on how to build the explosives and how to not leave behind evidence that could be linked back to the individuals. The individuals had recently obtained chemical ingredients and other goods, via acquisitions from e-commerce sites.

Apprehension and Subsequent Actions

The FBI took action last week when the group were rehearsing the attack in the remote area near a desert community. "They owned every item they required to construct an operational bomb at that location," the prosecutor stated.

As part of executed raids, investigators allegedly found signs for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one suspect's home that demanded "Down with America", and "Eliminate ICE". At another suspect's home, police located a duplicate of the detailed bomb plan.

The individuals were taken into custody peacefully. They were scheduled to make a court appearance in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.

Kimberly Mitchell
Kimberly Mitchell

A Prague-based journalist passionate about Czech culture and current affairs, with over a decade of experience in media.

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