Federal authorities in Los Angeles have reportedly thwarted a suspected New Year’s Eve terror plot allegedly orchestrated by an extremist group, officials have stated.
According to the FBI and Los Angeles law enforcement, four individuals believed to be members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front – identified as an offshoot of a pro-Palestinian, anti-government organization – were arrested Monday on suspicion of planning a coordinated bombing attack targeting at least five locations across Southern California.
Authorities stated that the suspects were apprehended last week while en route to a desert area east of Los Angeles, allegedly for the purpose of testing improvised explosive devices.
The FBI believes it has “disrupted the plot,” but an ongoing investigation aims to identify any additional potential suspects.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated on X Sunday that the agencies prevented “far-left” extremists from executing “a massive and horrific terror plot.”
Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41, face charges including conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device, according to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Officials stated during a Monday media conference that on December 12, the group traveled to the desert with “precursor chemicals,” allegedly intending to create bombs.
Surveillance footage captured their movements, and the Los Angeles FBI SWAT team, along with the FBI, subsequently arrested the four individuals without incident.
The alleged bombing plot involved planting explosive devices at locations targeting two U.S. companies described as logistic centers at midnight on New Year’s Eve in the Los Angeles area.
The complaint also alleges that the group discussed attacking Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and vehicles with pipe bombs in January or February.
Carroll allegedly stated, “That would take some of them out and scare the rest of them.”
“The successful disruption of this plot is a powerful testament to the strength of our unified response,” said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, adding that collaboration through allied agencies “prevented a potential tragedy and reaffirmed our shared commitment to safeguarding our communities.”
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