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US authorities announced on Monday that they had effectively disrupted a comprehensive plot to set off bombs at multiple facilities operated by two US-based companies on New Year's Eve in Southern California. The operation came after the arrest of people linked to an militant group advocating for anti-capitalist and anti-authority views.

Those Arrested Detained During Remote Dry Run

The four people were arrested last Friday in the Mojave Desert situated east of Los Angeles as they were according to officials running through their proposed operation. Prosecutors showed aerial monitoring footage to journalists, that captured the suspects carrying a sizeable dark device to a surface. Officials emphasized that the arrests were made before the group could put together a working IED.

Identities of the Those Charged Disclosed

According to the filed legal filing, the four individuals identified are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; 24-year-old Dante Gaffield; and Tina Lai, 41. The group are understood to be from the LA area.

Reported Motivation and Ties

Even though officials did not clearly detail a reason, they said the individuals are members of a splinter group dubbed the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This entity reportedly advocates for "the working class to revolt and resist against the capitalist system," according to the court papers.

Each suspect is charged with comprise conspiracy and having a bomb. Officials stated that additional charges are expected in the weeks ahead.

Elements of the Supposed "Operation Midnight Sun"

Officials said that one of the suspects had created a step-by-step blueprint last month to bomb at least five corporate facilities across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The intended sites were described as "similar to Amazon" distribution warehouses.

"The plan was explicit," a prosecutor remarked. "It contained detailed directions to construct explosive devices … and named numerous targets across Orange county and Los Angeles."

According to the case and the complaint, the plot called for planting rucksacks packed with complex pipe bombs that were scheduled to be set off all at once at midnight on New Year's Eve at several sites. New Year's Eve was seen as an opportune time since the plan stated "pyrotechnics will be going off at this time so explosions will be more difficult to be noticed."

An eight-page handwritten plan, named "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," noted that additional targets could be added. The facilities were described as assets and operations run by two separate corporations involved in activities involving national and international trade.

Additional Plots and Evidence Found

The criminal complaint also revealed that two individuals in the group had planned future operations focusing on immigration enforcement personnel and vehicles with pipe bombs in 2026. One individual allegedly said that such attacks "would eliminate some and intimidate the rest of them."

These plans were allegedly discussed both at an face-to-face assembly in Los Angeles and through an secure messaging app.

Images featured in the court documents show a isolated site with what authorities said were explosives-manufacturing materials laid out on portable tables.

Official documents states that the individuals "carried bomb-making components to the campsite, such as assorted sizes of tubes, suspected a chemical compound, fuel, charcoal powder, sulfur powder, and components to be used as fuses, and more."

The plan also had directions on how to manufacture the devices and how to prevent leaving traces that could be linked back to the individuals. The individuals had recently purchased precursor chemicals and other materials, including buys from major websites.

Apprehension and Aftermath

Authorities intervened last week while the group were running through the operation in the isolated region near a California town. "They owned every item they required to build an functional IED at that location," the attorney stated.

During carried out search warrants, authorities reportedly discovered signs for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one accused's home that advocated "America Must Fall", and "Eliminate ICE". At another accused's apartment, police found a version of the comprehensive bomb plan.

The individuals were arrested without incident. They were set to appear in court in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.