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Federal agents announced on Monday that they had successfully thwarted a detailed scheme to set off bombs at several sites run by two American companies on New Year's Eve in Southern California. The move followed the arrest of individuals part of an radical offshoot advocating for anti-capitalist and anti-authority views.

Individuals Detained During Isolated Practice

A quartet of individuals were arrested last Friday in the Mojave Desert located east of Los Angeles as they were reportedly rehearsing their planned strike. Federal attorneys showed from above reconnaissance images to reporters, which showed the individuals moving a large black item to a workspace. Authorities stressed that the arrests took place before the group could put together a working bomb.

Details of the Those Charged Made Public

Based on the submitted court documents, the four suspects named are Carroll, aged 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32 years old; 24-year-old Dante Gaffield; and Tina Lai, 41. Each of them are reportedly from the LA area.

Suspected Motivation and Group Affiliations

Even though authorities did not clearly outline a reason, they indicated the group are part of a splinter group known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This entity according to documents advocates for "laborers to revolt and fight back against the capitalist system," according to the court papers.

Each suspect is charged with comprise conspiracy to commit a crime and having a bomb. The government noted that further charges are expected in the next few weeks.

Particulars of the Reported "Operation Midnight Sun"

Authorities stated that one of the accused had drafted a meticulous scheme last month to bomb five or more corporate facilities across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The targets were characterized as "similar to Amazon" distribution centers.

"The bomb plot was specific," a prosecutor said. "It laid out step-by-step instructions to make bombs … and listed numerous objectives across Orange county and Los Angeles."

Based on the probe and the complaint, the plan involved positioning backpacks containing intricate IEDs that were set to be set off at the same time at midnight on New Year's Eve at 5 locations. New Year's Eve was seen as an opportune time as the document noted "fireworks will be going off at this time so detonations will be less likely to be noticed."

The handwritten, eight-page handwritten document, titled "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," stated that more targets could be added. The sites were described as property and facilities owned by two separate corporations involved in activities involving interstate and foreign commerce.

Additional Plots and Materials Found

The criminal complaint also stated that two individuals in the collective had planned future attacks focusing on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and vehicles with pipe bombs in 2026. One individual allegedly commented that such strikes "would kill some and scare the rest of them."

The plotting were reportedly planned both at an face-to-face meeting in Los Angeles and through an private messaging app.

Images featured in the court documents show a isolated site with what authorities identified as IED-construction items laid out on makeshift work surfaces.

The filing states that the suspects "each brought explosive materials to the location, including different sizes of tubes, believed to be potassium nitrate, charcoal, powdered charcoal, another chemical, and components to be used as detonators, along with other items."

Instructions also had guidance on how to build the devices and how to avoid leaving forensic clues that could be linked back to the individuals. The individuals had recently acquired components and other items, with buys from online retailers.

Apprehension and Aftermath

Federal agents took action last week as the group were practicing the strike in the desert near Twentynine Palms. "They had every item they needed to make an operational IED at that site," an official said.

In the course of carried out searches, authorities allegedly found posters for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one suspect's home that advocated "Death to America", and "Eliminate ICE". At another accused's residence, police discovered a version of the comprehensive bomb plan.

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