Four individuals were arrested on Friday in the Mojave Desert for allegedly planning to bomb two U.S. companies on New Year’s Eve, according to federal authorities. The defendants, identified as Audrey Illeene Carroll (also known as Asiginaak), Zachary Aaron Page (also known as AK), Dante Gaffield (also known as Nomad), and Tina Lai (also known as Kickwhere), are charged with conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device.
Authorities allege that the four are members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), a group described by officials as far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist. The group is accused of advocating violence against U.S. officials and plotting attacks against multiple targets in California starting on New Year’s Eve.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated: “The Turtle Island Liberation Front — a far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group — was preparing to conduct a series of bombings against multiple targets in California beginning on New Year’s Eve. The group also planned to target ICE agents and vehicles. This was an incredible effort by our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the FBI to ensure Americans can live in peace. We will continue to pursue these terror groups and bring them to justice.”
FBI Director Kash Patel commented: “The charges made public today show the FBI and our partners disrupted a dangerous New Year's Eve plot to simultaneously target two U.S. companies with multiple explosive devices. The defendants allegedly acquired materials to construct the devices, planned to test them in the Mojave Desert, and used encrypted communications in an attempt to evade detection, but thanks to the FBI and our partners those efforts failed. The FBI is committed to keeping our homeland safe and making sure those who attempt violent acts face justice.”
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said: “These arrests mark the disruption of a dangerous conspiracy to spread fear and terror across Southern California and the United States on New Year’s Eve, as well as to conduct future attacks targeting federal officers. This country protects the right to hold extreme views about its past, present, and future, but violence is an unmistakable and enforceable line. The National Security Division is committed to investigating and prosecuting those who cross that line.”
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California added: “Working together, federal and local law enforcement prevented a domestic terrorist attack from occurring this New Year’s Eve in Southern California. Far-left anti-government extremist groups seeking to destroy the American way of life will never prevail and will always face the full force of the law.”
According to court documents referenced by prosecutors, Carroll provided co-conspirators with a document titled “Operation Midnight Sun,” outlining plans for simultaneous bombings at several locations targeting two companies at midnight on December 31 in greater Los Angeles.
Investigators say that Carroll acknowledged their actions would be considered terrorism while recruiting others into TILF's plot. The group reportedly gathered bomb-making materials before traveling together into the Mojave Desert where they began assembling test devices on December 12.
Law enforcement intervened before any bombs could be completed or detonated.
If convicted, each defendant faces up to five years in prison for conspiracy charges plus up to ten years for possession of an unregistered destructive device; sentencing would be determined by a federal judge following statutory guidelines.
The investigation is being led by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force with support from local police departments including Los Angeles Police Department; Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department; Palm Springs Police Department; along with assistance from FBI field offices in Boston, Buffalo, and New Orleans.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ian V. Yanniello, Amanda B. Elbogen, Daniel H. Weiner (Central District of California) are prosecuting alongside Trial Attorney Patrick Cashman from DOJ's National Security Division Counterterrorism Section.
A criminal complaint is only an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
