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Federal agents declared on Monday that they had effectively disrupted a detailed plan to set off bombs at multiple locations belonging to two corporate firms on New Year's Eve in Southern California. The move followed the arrest of people linked to an radical faction advocating for anti-corporate and anti-establishment views.

Suspects Detained During Isolated Dry Run

The four suspects were taken into custody last Friday in the desert region found east of Los Angeles while they were allegedly practicing their intended attack. Officials displayed from above surveillance images to the media, that captured the suspects moving a sizeable dark item to a table. Officials emphasized that the detainments were made ahead of the suspects could put together a operational explosive device.

Names of the Accused Disclosed

As per the filed court documents, the four people identified are a 30-year-old named Audrey Illeene Carroll; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Lai, 41. Each of them are understood to be from the greater Los Angeles region.

Alleged Motive and Connections

Although authorities did not directly outline a reason, they stated the individuals are part of a offshoot called the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This organization allegedly calls for "the working class to rise up and combat against corporate power," according to the court papers.

Each suspect is charged with include conspiracy and having a destructive device. Officials noted that further counts are expected in the next few weeks.

Elements of the Supposed "Midnight Sun Operation"

Officials revealed that one of the suspects had drafted a meticulous plan last month to attack five or more commercial sites across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The targets were likened to "Amazon-type" distribution warehouses.

"The plan was detailed," an official remarked. "It contained step-by-step instructions to build IEDs … and listed several targets across Orange county and Los Angeles."

According to the probe and court documents, the plan involved positioning rucksacks containing sophisticated IEDs that were set to be detonated simultaneously at midnight on New Year's Eve at five sites. New Year's Eve was seen as an ideal time as the document stated "pyrotechnics will be going off at this time so explosions will be more difficult to be heard."

An eight-page manually written document, named "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," stated that further sites could be included. The facilities were described as premises and facilities owned by two separate firms connected with business affecting commerce.

Future Plans and Materials Seized

The criminal complaint also revealed that two members in the collective had planned future strikes focusing on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and cars with IEDs in 2026. One individual reportedly commented that such actions "would take some of them out and intimidate the rest of them."

The plotting were allegedly talked over both at an in-person assembly in Los Angeles and through an encrypted digital platform.

Images contained in the case file reveal a desert campsite with what officials said were IED-construction components laid out on portable tables.

Official documents states that the suspects "all brought bomb-making components to the site, among them assorted sizes of tubes, identified as an oxidizer, fuel, powdered charcoal, another chemical, and material to be used as fuses, and more."

Instructions also included steps on how to manufacture the bombs and how to not leave behind forensic clues that could be traced back to the individuals. The accused had in the recent past acquired precursor chemicals and other items, including acquisitions from online retailers.

Arrest and Follow-up

The FBI moved in last week when the suspects were running through the strike in the remote area near Twentynine Palms. "They owned all the components they were necessary to make an working bomb at that location," the attorney said.

During carried out searches, officials allegedly discovered posters for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one suspect's home that advocated "Down with America", and "Eliminate ICE". At another suspect's residence, police found a version of the elaborate attack blueprint.

Those arrested were arrested peacefully. They were set to make a court appearance in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.