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US authorities announced on Monday that they had successfully thwarted a detailed plot to explode bombs at several facilities operated by two US-based firms on New Year's Eve in Southern California. The operation followed the apprehension of suspects associated with an extremist offshoot advocating for anti-capitalist and anti-authority views.

Suspects Detained During Isolated Rehearsal

A quartet of people were arrested last Friday in the desert region situated east of Los Angeles while they were allegedly practicing their intended strike. Prosecutors presented aerial surveillance footage to journalists, which depicted the group moving a big black object to a surface. Authorities stressed that the apprehensions occurred ahead of the suspects could construct a working bomb.

Details of the Those Charged Made Public

Based on the public court documents, the four suspects listed are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, who is 41. The group are understood to be from the greater Los Angeles area.

Reported Driving Force and Group Affiliations

While authorities did not explicitly describe a reason, they indicated the suspects are members of a offshoot called the Turtle Island Liberation Front. The group reportedly calls for "laborers to rebel and combat against the capitalist system," as per the legal filing.

Each suspect is charged with include plotting and possession of a explosive. Prosecutors noted that further accusations are anticipated in the weeks ahead.

Elements of the Supposed "Midnight Sun Operation"

Officials revealed that one of the individuals had drafted a step-by-step scheme last month to target five or more business locations across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The locations were likened to "like Amazon" distribution hubs.

"This scheme was detailed," an official said. "It included detailed directions to construct explosive devices … and listed several sites across Orange County and Los Angeles."

Based on the case and court documents, the scheme involved planting backpacks filled with intricate explosive devices that were planned to be set off all at once at midnight on New Year's Eve at five places. New Year's Eve was seen as an opportune time as the document indicated "fireworks will be going off at this time so explosions will be more difficult to be noticed."

An eight-page handwritten blueprint, called "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," stated that further sites could be included. The locations were described as property and operations owned by two separate firms connected with business involving interstate and foreign commerce.

Future Plans and Materials Seized

Court documents also revealed that two individuals in the group had discussed subsequent operations focusing on ICE agents agents and cars with explosives in 2026. One individual according to the complaint commented that such attacks "would eliminate some and frighten the rest of them."

Such discussions were reportedly planned both at an face-to-face meeting in Los Angeles and through an encrypted digital platform.

Photos featured in the case file depict a isolated site with what investigators identified as IED-construction items laid out on portable tables.

The complaint states that the group "carried bomb-making components to the campsite, including assorted sizes of PVC pipes, believed to be a chemical compound, charcoal briquettes, powdered charcoal, sulfur powder, and material to be used as fuses, and more."

The scheme also contained directions on how to manufacture the devices and how to not leave behind forensic clues that could be connected back to the individuals. The individuals had in the recent past acquired precursor chemicals and other materials, including buys from e-commerce sites.

Operation and Follow-up

Authorities intervened last week when the individuals were rehearsing the strike in the isolated region near Twentynine Palms. "They owned all the components they needed to build an operational bomb at that location," the attorney stated.

During served searches, officials reportedly found flyers for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one suspect's home that advocated "America Must Fall", and "Eliminate ICE". At another suspect's home, police found a duplicate of the comprehensive explosives scheme.

The individuals were detained peacefully. They were scheduled to face a judge in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.