FBI Thwarts Multi-Target Bomb Plot in Southern California Ahead of New Year's Eve

The FBI has thwarted a planned terror attack targeting multiple locations in Los Angeles and Orange County, scheduled to occur on New Year’s Eve. Federal authorities announced on Monday that the operation, orchestrated by a far-left group known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front, was designed to strike U.S. companies, immigration enforcement agents, and their vehicles. The group, which promotes pro-Palestinian and anti-government ideologies, was reportedly preparing to conduct a series of synchronized bombings across Southern California.

The group’s plan, detailed in a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, involved the placement of explosive devices at five locations, with the detonations set for midnight on December 31, 2025. The devices were intended to target logistics centers operated by two unnamed U.S. companies, according to the complaint. The FBI intervened before the group could construct a fully functional explosive device, arresting four individuals in San Bernardino County.

The four arrested—Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41—each face federal charges of conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device. According to court documents, the group had traveled to a remote location in the Mojave Desert to test their explosive devices, using plastic folding tables to arrange bomb-making materials.

A sworn statement in support of the complaint reveals that Carroll, who presented an eight-page handwritten document titled “Operation Midnight Sun” to a confidential source, was instrumental in the planning process. Carroll and Page are alleged to have recruited Gaffield and Lai into the operation, which included acquiring materials and testing devices ahead of the planned attacks.

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli and FBI Assistant Director confirmed the arrests at a press conference in Los Angeles, emphasizing the coordinated and detailed nature of the plot. Essayli noted that the group sought to carry out simultaneous attacks without leaving evidence behind, using complex pipe bombs and coordinated detonation methods. The FBI, according to Davis, has credited its surveillance and intelligence efforts with disrupting what could have been a devastating act of terrorism.

A fifth individual was also arrested in New Orleans by the FBI, who is suspected of planning a separate but related violent attack. FBI Director Kash Patel described the threat as both credible and imminent, highlighting the group’s extremist motivations rooted in anti-law-enforcement, anti-capitalist, and pro-Palestinian ideologies.

The Turtle Island Liberation Front, while not a widely known group, has a social media presence and self-identifies as a political organization focused on the liberation of colonized people. Its Los Angeles chapter advocates for “liberation through decolonization and tribal sovereignty,” according to an Instagram account with fewer than 900 followers.

Federal authorities have stressed the importance of vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement to prevent such attacks. Attorney General praised the FBI’s efforts, emphasizing that the arrest and disruption of the plot have ensured public safety during a critical holiday period.

The arrests were made possible through a combination of surveillance, intelligence, and undercover operations. According to court filings, the FBI intercepted communications and observed the group’s movements in the weeks leading up to the planned attacks, ultimately arresting the suspects while they were assembling explosive materials in the desert.

The suspects are expected to appear in federal court in the coming days. Additional charges may be filed as more evidence is reviewed. The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office have continued to work closely with local law enforcement to assess the broader threat environment, particularly around major public events and holidays.

This case underscores the ongoing domestic security challenges related to extremist groups and the need for robust counterterrorism measures. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to identifying and neutralizing threats before they can materialize, ensuring the safety of civilians and critical infrastructure.