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Federal agents declared on Monday that they had successfully thwarted a comprehensive plot to set off IEDs at multiple facilities operated by two US-based firms on New Year's Eve in Southern California. The move came after the detainment of people associated with an militant offshoot promoting anti-corporate and anti-establishment beliefs.

Those Arrested Taken Into Custody During Isolated Dry Run

A quartet of individuals were arrested last Friday in the Mojave Desert situated east of Los Angeles while they were according to officials rehearsing their intended attack. Federal attorneys presented from above surveillance images to reporters, that depicted the suspects transporting a large obscure item to a workspace. Authorities emphasized that the apprehensions occurred prior to the suspects could construct a working bomb.

Identities of the Those Charged Released

As per the submitted court documents, the four suspects identified are Carroll, aged 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; 24-year-old Dante Gaffield; and Tina Lai, who is 41. Each of them are reportedly from the greater Los Angeles region.

Reported Driving Force and Group Affiliations

While authorities did not directly outline a rationale, they indicated the suspects are members of a splinter group called the Turtle Island Liberation Front. The group reportedly calls for "the working class to rebel and combat against the capitalist system," based on the court papers.

The charges comprise plotting and possession of a destructive device. Officials indicated that further counts are anticipated in the weeks ahead.

Particulars of the Supposed "The Midnight Sun Plan"

Officials revealed that one of the suspects had created a detailed plan last month to bomb five or more commercial sites across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The intended sites were likened to "similar to Amazon" fulfillment warehouses.

"The bomb plot was explicit," the attorney stated. "It contained detailed directions to build IEDs … and named several targets across Orange County and Los Angeles."

According to the probe and court documents, the plan entailed placing backpacks packed with complex pipe bombs that were planned to be detonated at the same time at midnight on New Year's Eve at five sites. New Year's Eve was identified as an perfect time since the document stated "fireworks will be going off at this time so detonations will be harder to be detected."

The eight-page handwritten blueprint, titled "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," noted that additional locations could be added. The sites were described as premises and facilities run by two distinct firms connected with operations involving national and international trade.

Long-term Schemes and Evidence Uncovered

Court documents also indicated that two people in the group had discussed future attacks focusing on immigration enforcement officers and cars with IEDs in 2026. One accused reportedly commented that such actions "would eliminate some and frighten the rest of them."

The plotting were reportedly discussed both at an physical gathering in Los Angeles and through an secure messaging app.

Photos contained in the case file show a desert campsite with what officials identified as IED-construction materials laid out on plastic folding tables.

The filing states that the group "carried bomb-making components to the campsite, such as assorted sizes of tubes, believed to be an oxidizer, charcoal, fuel powder, powdered sulfur, and items to be used as fuses, and more."

The scheme also had guidance on how to manufacture the devices and how to avoid leaving evidence that could be linked back to the faction. The individuals had not long ago purchased precursor chemicals and other materials, with acquisitions from e-commerce sites.

Apprehension and Follow-up

Federal agents took action last week while the individuals were rehearsing the attack in the desert near a desert community. "They owned everything they required to build an functional IED at that location," the attorney commented.

In the course of carried out raids, officials allegedly found flyers for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one accused's home that demanded "Down with America", and "Death to ICE". At another individual's apartment, police found a version of the comprehensive attack blueprint.

The suspects were taken into custody without a struggle. They were scheduled to make a court appearance in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.