US federal investigators say they have foiled what has been described as a coordinated bombing campaign planned for New Year’s Eve in the Los Angeles region. Four alleged members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF) were arrested last week while traveling to a desert area east of Los Angeles where they were allegedly preparing to test improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Authorities believe the plot was stopped in time, though the investigation remains active.
Who are the Turtle Island Liberation Front?
According to the FBI and US law enforcement agencies, the Turtle Island Liberation Front is an extremist offshoot of a broader pro-Palestinian, anti-government movement. Investigators describe the group as far-left, anti-capitalist and hostile to law enforcement, with rhetoric that frames violent actions as a form of political resistance.
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Attorney General Pam Bondi described the group bluntly, saying federal agencies prevented a major attack. In a statement posted on X, she said:
“After an intensive investigation, the Department of Justice, in cooperation with our FBI, prevented what would have been a massive and horrific terrorist plot in the Central District of California (Orange County and Los Angeles).
The Turtle Island Liberation Front – a far-left, pro-Palestinian, anti-government and anti-capitalist group – was preparing to carry out a series of bombings against multiple targets in California starting on New Year’s Eve. The group also planned to target ICE agents and vehicles.
It has been an incredible effort by our US Attorneys and the FBI to ensure that Americans can live in peace. We will continue to pursue these terrorist groups and bring them to justice.”
What was the supposed New Year’s Eve plot?
US officials say the suspects planned to carry out coordinated bombings in at least five locations across Southern California, with the attacks planned for midnight on New Year’s Eve. Court documents state that two of the intended targets were American companies described as logistics centers in the Los Angeles area.
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On December 12, the group allegedly traveled to the California desert with what US authorities described as “precursor chemicals” with the intention of constructing explosive devices. Surveillance planes tracked their movements before FBI agents and the Los Angeles FBI SWAT team moved in to make the arrests without incident.
Who was arrested?
The four suspects named in the federal complaint are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41. They face charges including conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
FBI Director Kash Patel later confirmed that a fifth person had been arrested in New Orleans in connection with what he described as the same extremist network.
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“Over the weekend, the FBI disrupted a credible imminent terrorist threat and arrested FOUR individuals connected to the Los Angeles area.
The subjects identified themselves as members of the radical offshoot of the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), an extremist group motivated by a pro-Palestinian, anti-law and anti-government ideology. They allegedly planned coordinated IED bombings on New Year’s Eve, targeting five separate locations throughout Los Angeles.
In the following days, the FBI in New Orleans arrested another FIFTH person believed to be connected to this radical TILF subgroup—also allegedly planning a separate violent attack.
Excellent work by our investigators and law enforcement partner The Justice Dept. Their work has undoubtedly saved countless lives. The Los Angeles FBI will hold a press conference today to share more details.”
Were other goals discussed?
According to the criminal complaint, the group also discussed launching attacks against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and vehicles in early 2025. Prosecutors say pipe bombs were among the weapons being considered.
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One of the defendants, Carroll, reportedly said of ICE agents:
“That would bring some of them out and scare the rest.
How did the authorities stop the attack?
US law enforcement officials said the operation relied on constant surveillance and coordination between federal and local authorities. Aerial surveillance picked up the suspects’ movements in the desert, allowing agents to intervene before any explosives were tested or deployed.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell praised the joint response, saying, “The successful disruption of this plot is a powerful testament to the strength of our unified response,” adding that working through allied agencies “prevented a potential tragedy and reaffirmed our shared commitment to protecting our communities.”
what’s next
The FBI said it believed the immediate threat had been neutralized, but stressed that investigations were ongoing to determine whether there were other suspects or associated cells. An FBI press conference in Los Angeles is expected to provide more details.
