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Federal agents announced on Monday that they had successfully thwarted a detailed plan to set off bombs at numerous sites run by two US-based firms on New Year's Eve in the LA region. The move followed the arrest of individuals associated with an extremist offshoot advocating for anti-capitalist and anti-authority views.

Suspects Apprehended During Isolated Practice

The four suspects were taken into custody last Friday in the desert region situated east of Los Angeles while they were reportedly practicing their proposed attack. Federal attorneys showed aerial monitoring images to journalists, which captured the group carrying a big dark device to a table. Law enforcement noted that the detainments took place ahead of the individuals could construct a working bomb.

Names of the Those Charged Disclosed

According to the filed criminal complaint, the four individuals named are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Lai, 41. Each of them are understood to be from the greater Los Angeles region.

Alleged Motive and Group Affiliations

Even though prosecutors did not clearly outline a motive, they indicated the suspects are adherents of a offshoot dubbed the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This entity reportedly calls for "workers to revolt and fight back against corporate power," as per the court papers.

Each suspect is charged with involve plotting and possession of a explosive. The government stated that further counts are likely in the weeks ahead.

Details of the Supposed "Midnight Sun Operation"

Prosecutors said that one of the individuals had drafted a step-by-step scheme last month to attack five or more commercial sites across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The intended sites were likened to "similar to Amazon" logistical warehouses.

"The plan was explicit," a prosecutor stated. "It contained detailed directions to make bombs … and identified numerous targets across Orange county and Los Angeles."

Based on the probe and legal filings, the plot entailed planting backpacks filled with sophisticated IEDs that were scheduled to be set off all at once at midnight on New Year's Eve at five locations. New Year's Eve was identified as an perfect time since the plan indicated "fireworks will be going off at this time so blast noises will be less likely to be noticed."

The handwritten, eight-page manually written plan, titled "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," noted that further targets could be added. The facilities were identified as premises and operations operated by two separate corporations connected with business involving interstate and foreign commerce.

Long-term Schemes and Evidence Seized

Court documents also stated that two individuals in the faction had planned subsequent attacks aimed at immigration enforcement personnel and transport with explosives in 2026. One suspect according to the complaint noted that such strikes "would eliminate some and frighten the rest of them."

These plans were allegedly planned both at an in-person meeting in Los Angeles and through an encrypted messaging app.

Images featured in the case file depict a desert campsite with what authorities said were bomb-making components strewn across makeshift work surfaces.

The filing details that the suspects "all brought bomb-making components to the campsite, among them assorted sizes of plastic pipes, identified as an oxidizer, charcoal briquettes, charcoal powder, sulfur powder, and items to be used as fuses, among others."

The scheme also had steps on how to construct the explosives and how to not leave behind traces that could be linked back to the individuals. The suspects had recently purchased chemical ingredients and other items, via purchases from major websites.

Apprehension and Follow-up

Federal agents intervened last week as the individuals were practicing the strike in the remote area near a desert community. "They had every item they required to construct an functional IED at that site," the prosecutor said.

In the course of carried out searches, authorities allegedly located signs for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one suspect's home that advocated "Death to America", and "Eliminate ICE". At another accused's apartment, police found a duplicate of the elaborate attack blueprint.

The individuals were detained without incident. They were scheduled to make a court appearance in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.