US foils alleged New Year terror plot involving women

Federal authorities said they have disrupted an alleged plan to carry out coordinated bomb attacks against multiple business sites in Southern California on New Year’s Eve, arresting four suspected members of an extremist anti-capitalist and anti-government group.

The suspects were taken into custody on December 12 in the Mojave Desert east of Los Angeles while allegedly rehearsing the attack, according to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. Officials said the arrests were made before the group was able to assemble a functional explosive device, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Those charged are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41 — all residents of the Los Angeles area. Each faces charges including conspiracy and possession of a destructive device, with additional charges expected.

Prosecutors said the suspects are linked to an offshoot of a group known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front, which promotes anti-capitalist and anti-government views and calls for decolonisation and tribal sovereignty. Investigators also found “Free Palestine” flyers at the desert campsite where the group was allegedly preparing the attack.

According to court documents, Carroll is accused of drafting a detailed plan last month to target five or more business locations across Los Angeles and Orange counties. Essayli described the intended targets as large logistics facilities similar to those operated by Amazon, though the companies were not named.

Authorities said the plan envisioned near-simultaneous explosions at midnight on New Year’s Eve, with the timing chosen to blend in with holiday fireworks. The handwritten plan, titled Operation Midnight Sun, also suggested that additional locations could be added.

Investigators further allege that two members of the group discussed possible future attacks targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and vehicles in 2026.

During searches, officials said they found bomb-making components at the desert campsite and recovered propaganda materials calling for violence against the United States and federal agencies at Carroll’s residence. A copy of the alleged attack plan was also found at Page’s home.

The FBI and local law enforcement moved in near Twentynine Palms, California, after monitoring the group’s activities. Officials said the suspects were arrested without incident.

By Vugar Khalilov