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- 4 indicted in foiled New Year’s Eve terror bombing plot targeting Southern California businesses (foxnews.com)
Four Indicted in Foiled New Year’s Eve Bomb Plot in Southern California
Four individuals are facing federal charges in connection with a thwarted New Year’s Eve terror plot in Southern California, according to the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The group allegedly planned to bomb multiple businesses and target Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents after the holiday season.
Prosecutors allege that the defendants-Audrey Illeene Carroll, Zachary Aaron Page, Dante James Anthony-Gaffield, and Tina Lai-are associated with the anti-government extremist group Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF). Members of TILF are accused of glorifying terrorism and aiming to cause “as much damage as possible.”
The alleged bombing plot, dubbed “Operation Midnight Sun” by the group, involved plans to detonate pipe bombs at at least five locations, including technology and logistics businesses, across Southern California. The defendants face various charges, including conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, providing and attempting to provide material support to terrorists, and possessing unregistered firearms.
Court documents state that throughout early December 2025, the defendants allegedly took steps to procure bomb-making materials and used encrypted messaging platforms to coordinate the construction and testing of explosive devices.
Authorities reported alarming statements made by Carroll via encrypted messaging, including “I identify as a terrorist” and “I am a Hamas fangirl.” She allegedly expressed goals of “completely pulverizing” buildings and denounced peaceful protests while discussing fantasies of ambushing law enforcement agents.
The terror plot was reportedly foiled on December 12 when the defendants traveled to the Mojave Desert to conduct live weapons testing. They were intercepted by members of the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team.
Officials noted that despite the defendants’ attempts to evade detection-such as wrapping phones in tinfoil to create “makeshift Faraday bags” and using apps that automatically delete encrypted messages-law enforcement successfully intercepted their plans with the assistance of informants and undercover agents.
Defendant Carroll unknowingly shared the group’s bombing plans with law enforcement assets. This allowed the FBI to obtain copies of handwritten bombing plans, lists of required bomb-making materials, and information about the group’s extremist messaging network.
Carroll and Page also allegedly discussed plans to carry out after the New Year’s Eve bombings, including targeting ICE agents and vehicles to intimidate and harm law enforcement, according to court documents.
All four defendants are expected to make their initial appearances in federal court in the Central District of California.