Federal authorities say a potentially devastating New Year’s Eve terror plot in Los Angeles was stopped just in time.
Over the weekend, the FBI arrested four individuals who allegedly planned coordinated bombing attacks across the city, targeting multiple locations during the holiday celebrations. Investigators say the suspects identified themselves as members of a radical pro-Palestinian extremist group tied to the Turtle Island Liberation Front.
According to federal officials, the arrests prevented what could have been one of the most dangerous domestic plots uncovered this year.
Alleged Plot Targeted Multiple Los Angeles Locations
The FBI said the suspects were preparing to carry out coordinated bombings using improvised explosive devices on New Year’s Eve. Five separate locations across Los Angeles were allegedly identified as targets.
Investigators said the four suspects were taken into custody in Lucerne Valley, where they were believed to be testing explosive devices ahead of the planned attacks. Each individual now faces charges of conspiracy and possession of a destructive device.
Fifth Suspect Arrested in Separate Case
Meanwhile, federal authorities revealed that a fifth individual connected to the same extremist network was arrested in New Orleans. Officials said that suspect was allegedly planning a separate attack and is believed to have ties to the same Turtle Island Liberation Front faction.
Extremist Messaging and Online Activity
Authorities pointed to social media activity linked to the group as part of the investigation.
A TILF-linked Instagram account stated that its founding chapter was based in Los Angeles and described its mission as freeing “Turtle Island,” an Indigenous term used to refer to North America, from what it called the “illegal American empire.”
The account posted, “Free Palestine. Free Hawaii. Free Puerto Rico,” followed by, “Freeing the world from American imperialism is the only way to a safe and peaceful future.”
Officials Praise Coordinated Law Enforcement Effort
At a press conference in Los Angeles, federal and local law enforcement leaders outlined how the investigation unfolded and emphasized the importance of interagency cooperation.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Department of Justice worked closely with the FBI to prevent the alleged attack in the Central District of California. She also revealed that investigators believe the group intended to target United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and vehicles.
“This was an incredible effort by our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the FBI to ensure Americans can live in peace,” Bondi wrote.
“We will continue to pursue these terror groups and bring them to justice.”
Detailed Attack Plans Found, Complaint Says
A federal criminal complaint filed Saturday provided extensive details about the alleged plot.
According to the filing, the suspects drafted a written attack plan, shared bomb-making instructions, and discussed pre-operational surveillance of potential targets. Investigators said three of the four suspects transported potassium nitrate, PVC pipes, charcoal, sulfur powder, and other bomb-making components to a campsite in the Mojave Desert for testing.
The complaint described how the group allegedly began assembling the devices before law enforcement stepped in.
“While in the desert, the co-conspirators took steps to begin construction of the devices, including unloading the bomb-making materials (e.g., precursors, PVC pipes, and fuses) from their cars and beginning to assemble the materials on a table; constructing a tent to keep the bomb materials shaded from the sun; wiping down the interior of one of the PVC pipes,” the complaint stated, adding that FBI agents intervened before they could complete the assembly of a functional explosive device.
Suspects Identified, Charges Announced
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli identified the four suspects during a Monday press conference in Los Angeles. Authorities named them as Audrey Carroll, 30, Zachary Aaron Page, 32, Dante Gaffield, 24, and Tina Lai, 41.
“The charges we are announcing today stem from the defendants and their co-conspirators’ detailed, coordinated plot to bomb multiple U.S. companies on New Year’s Eve,” Essayli said.
Investigation Ongoing
Officials emphasized that the investigation remains active as authorities work to determine whether additional individuals or locations were involved. For now, federal authorities say the swift arrests prevented a potentially catastrophic attack during one of the busiest nights of the year.
