Los Angeles, California — Federal agents have arrested four individuals linked to an alleged plan to carry out bombings across Southern California during New Year’s Eve celebrations. The suspects, identified as Audrey Ilene Carroll, 30; Dante Garfield, 24; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; and Tina Lai, 41, are reportedly members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front, a splinter group associated with a leftist extremist faction advocating for pro-Palestinian causes, according to officials from the Department of Justice and the FBI.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrests, stating that authorities thwarted an imminent terror plot that posed a grave threat to public safety in California’s Central District. Bondi emphasized the group’s intentions to target multiple locations, with specific plans aimed at attacking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
The Turtle Island Liberation Front draws its name from Indigenous references to the American continent and aligns its mission with aggressive actions against what it perceives as colonial oppression. In a recent social media post, the group stated, “Peaceful protest will never be enough,” calling for liberation for various regions, including Palestine, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
Earlier this month, the group had organized a protest outside the Wilshire Boulevard Temple, where attendees were subjected to disruptions while Israeli speakers were present. This event attracted criticism from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who described the actions as “abhorrent.” During the protest, law enforcement apprehended two individuals amid the unrest.
The arrests related to the New Year’s Eve plot occurred last week in the Mojave Desert, where the suspects allegedly intended to test improvised explosive devices. They now face multiple charges, including conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device, as detailed in a U.S. District Court complaint.
Additionally, an FBI spokesperson revealed that a fifth person, believed to be associated with this fringe group, has also been arrested for plotting a separate violent act.
Following the arrests, a post on what appeared to be the group’s Instagram account promoting a “Palestine Pop Up” market received a barrage of comments referencing the arrests, many expressing sentiments like, “Have fun in jail.”
The ongoing investigation underscores the seriousness of the threats posed by domestic extremist groups and highlights the commitment of federal authorities to prevent violence and ensure public safety.