The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Los Angeles law enforcement agencies have arrested four individuals in connection with a planned attack across southern California. The arrests occurred last week.
The individuals are identified as Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41. They face charges including conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device, according to a complaint filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California.
The arrested individuals are described as members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front, which officials identify as an offshoot of a pro-Palestinian anti-government group. They were apprehended while traveling to a desert location east of Los Angeles, where they reportedly intended to test improvised explosive devices.
On December 12, the group was observed traveling to the desert with precursor chemicals, allegedly for the purpose of creating bombs. Surveillance footage captured their movements, leading to their arrest without incident by the Los Angeles FBI SWAT team and the FBI.
The planned attack involved planting explosive devices at two US logistics centers in the Los Angeles area at midnight on New Year's Eve. Additionally, discussions among the group reportedly included attacking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and vehicles with pipe bombs in January or February. According to the complaint, Ms. Carroll stated regarding ICE agents, "That would take some of them out and scare the rest of them."
US Attorney General Pam Bondi stated on X on Sunday that the agencies prevented "far-left" extremists from executing "a massive and horrific terror plot." LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell commented that the "successful disruption of this plot is a powerful testament to the strength of our unified response," emphasizing that allied agency work "prevented a potential tragedy and reaffirmed our shared commitment to safeguarding our communities."
The FBI has indicated that it has "disrupted the plot," and an investigation to identify other potential suspects remains ongoing.