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US authorities announced on Monday that they had effectively disrupted a detailed scheme to explode bombs at numerous sites operated by two American firms on New Year's Eve in the LA region. The move came after the apprehension of people part of an militant group advocating for anti-corporate and anti-authority beliefs.

Suspects Taken Into Custody During Isolated Rehearsal

The four people were taken into custody last Friday in the Mojave Desert located east of Los Angeles while they were allegedly running through their proposed strike. Federal attorneys showed from above reconnaissance images to journalists, which depicted the suspects moving a big obscure device to a table. Law enforcement stressed that the detainments occurred before the suspects could construct a working bomb.

Names of the Those Charged Made Public

As per the public criminal complaint, the four people named are Carroll, aged 30; Page, 32; 24-year-old Dante Gaffield; and Tina Lai, 41. The group are said to be from the LA region.

Alleged Motivation and Ties

Although officials did not directly detail a rationale, they indicated the suspects are adherents of a offshoot dubbed the Turtle Island Liberation Front. The group reportedly calls for "laborers to rise up and combat against corporate power," as per the legal filing.

They face comprise conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of a explosive. The government stated that additional counts are likely in the weeks ahead.

Elements of the Supposed "The Midnight Sun Plan"

Prosecutors said that one of the individuals had drafted a meticulous scheme last month to target five or more corporate facilities across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The intended sites were described as "like Amazon" logistical warehouses.

"The plan was specific," a prosecutor stated. "It included a precise guide to construct explosive devices … and listed multiple sites across the county of Orange and Los Angeles."

As per the probe and legal filings, the plan entailed planting backpacks packed with complex IEDs that were set to be set off at the same time at midnight on New Year's Eve at several locations. New Year's Eve was identified as an ideal time as the plan stated "celebratory explosions will be going off at this time so detonations will be harder to be heard."

An eight-page handwritten blueprint, titled "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," suggested that further targets could be incorporated. The facilities were described as premises and operations owned by two distinct companies connected with operations affecting interstate and foreign commerce.

Long-term Plots and Proof Uncovered

The investigation also revealed that two people in the group had planned subsequent operations focusing on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and transport with pipe bombs in 2026. One individual according to the complaint said that such attacks "would kill some and scare the rest of them."

Such discussions were reportedly planned both at an in-person meeting in Los Angeles and through an private communication application.

Pictures included in the case file depict a desert campsite with what authorities identified as IED-construction items laid out on plastic folding tables.

The filing states that the group "each brought explosive materials to the campsite, including different sizes of plastic pipes, suspected an oxidizer, fuel, fuel powder, sulfur powder, and items to be used as fuses, among others."

The plan also included directions on how to manufacture the devices and how to not leave behind traces that could be traced back to the faction. The suspects had recently acquired chemical ingredients and other goods, including purchases from online retailers.

Operation and Aftermath

The FBI moved in last week when the individuals were running through the strike in the desert near a desert community. "They had everything they needed to construct an functional bomb at that place," the attorney commented.

In the course of served raids, authorities reportedly located posters for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one individual's residence that demanded "America Must Fall", and "ICE Must Go". At another individual's residence, police located a duplicate of the comprehensive bomb plan.

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