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Federal agents stated on Monday that they had successfully thwarted a comprehensive scheme to set off IEDs at numerous sites run by two US-based companies on New Year's Eve in Southern California. The move came after the arrest of individuals linked to an extremist offshoot promoting anti-capitalist and anti-authority ideologies.

Those Arrested Apprehended During Remote Practice

Four individuals were arrested last Friday in the desert region situated east of Los Angeles while they were reportedly rehearsing their intended attack. Federal attorneys displayed from above reconnaissance video to journalists, which depicted the individuals moving a large dark device to a table. Law enforcement emphasized that the arrests were made before the individuals could assemble a working explosive device.

Names of the Accused Released

Based on the public court documents, the four individuals named are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Gaffield, 24; and Lai, 41. The group are said to be from the Los Angeles area.

Suspected Driving Force and Group Affiliations

While authorities did not directly detail a rationale, they indicated the suspects are adherents of a offshoot called the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This organization reportedly urges "the working class to rise up and fight back against corporate power," based on the legal filing.

The charges involve conspiracy to commit a crime and having a bomb. The government noted that more accusations are expected in the next few weeks.

Elements of the Supposed "The Midnight Sun Plan"

Authorities revealed that one of the accused had devised a detailed scheme last month to target at least five commercial sites across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The locations were likened to "like Amazon" fulfillment warehouses.

"This scheme was explicit," an official said. "It included step-by-step instructions to construct explosive devices … and named multiple sites across the county of Orange and Los Angeles."

As per the investigation and court documents, the scheme called for planting bags filled with intricate IEDs that were planned to be exploded simultaneously at midnight on New Year's Eve at several locations. New Year's Eve was chosen as an ideal time since the scheme indicated "celebratory explosions 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 more locations could be added. The locations were described as premises and operations owned by two distinct firms tied to activities involving commerce.

Future Plans and Proof Seized

The investigation also revealed that two individuals in the faction had discussed future strikes targeting ICE agents officers and cars with pipe bombs in 2026. One individual reportedly commented that such actions "would kill some and scare the rest of them."

These plans were allegedly talked over both at an physical meeting in Los Angeles and through an private digital platform.

Photos included in the court documents depict a remote camp with what officials said were explosives-manufacturing materials strewn across makeshift work surfaces.

The filing notes that the suspects "carried IED parts to the site, such as different sizes of PVC pipes, believed to be an oxidizer, charcoal briquettes, charcoal powder, another chemical, and material to be used as detonators, and more."

Instructions also had directions on how to construct the bombs and how to avoid leaving evidence that could be connected back to the group. The accused had not long ago purchased precursor chemicals and other items, including buys from online retailers.

Arrest and Follow-up

The FBI took action last week as the suspects were rehearsing the operation in the desert near a California town. "They owned all the components they needed to construct an working bomb at that place," an official commented.

As part of executed search warrants, investigators reportedly located signs for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one suspect's residence that advocated "Down with America", and "ICE Must Go". At another suspect's home, police found a version of the elaborate attack blueprint.

Those arrested were detained without incident. They were scheduled to appear in court in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.