By SHR Media Staff

Federal authorities say the FBI disrupted what officials described as a credible and imminent terrorist threat aimed at multiple locations across the Los Angeles area, arresting four suspects allegedly involved in a coordinated bombing plot planned for New Year’s Eve.

A fifth individual, believed to be linked to the same extremist network, was later arrested in New Orleans in connection with a separate alleged attack plan, according to federal officials.

Four Arrested in Southern California

According to federal prosecutors, the four primary suspects were arrested last week in Lucerne Valley, a remote desert area east of Los Angeles. Authorities allege the group was actively preparing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and intended to carry out coordinated attacks across five locations in the Los Angeles region.

Reuters reports the suspects have been charged with conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device. The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office allege investigators discovered bomb-making materials at a desert campsite, including components commonly used in pipe bombs.

The suspects named in court filings cited by Reuters are:

• Audrey Illeene Carroll
• Zachary Aaron Page
• Dante Gaffield
• Tina Lai

All four made initial court appearances and remain in federal custody pending further proceedings.

Alleged Targets Included Law Enforcement

Federal officials stated that intended targets included civilian locations as well as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and vehicles, raising concerns about direct attacks on law enforcement.

Attorney General Pam Bondi described the plot as “massive and horrific” in public remarks, stating the alleged plan could have resulted in significant loss of life had it not been disrupted.

FBI Cites Extremist Ideology

In a public statement posted on social media, FBI Director Kash Patel said the suspects self-identified as members of a radical offshoot of the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF).

According to Patel, the group was motivated by pro-Palestinian, anti-law-enforcement, and anti-government ideology. Federal authorities have not yet publicly announced whether the group has been formally designated under any specific domestic terrorism classification.

Fifth Arrest Made in New Orleans

Director Patel also confirmed that FBI New Orleans arrested a fifth individual believed to be connected to the same extremist subgroup. Officials allege that suspect was planning a separate violent attack.

No name, charges, or court documents related to the New Orleans arrest have yet been released publicly.

Investigation and Evidence

Reuters reports investigators believe the group conducted a test detonation in the Mojave Desert earlier this month and communicated through encrypted messaging platforms while discussing attack planning.

Federal authorities credited cooperation between multiple FBI field offices and the Department of Justice for disrupting the plot before execution.

Press Conference Expected

The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office has announced plans to hold a press conference later today to provide additional details. Officials are expected to outline the scope of the investigation, clarify the alleged targets, and confirm whether additional charges or arrests are forthcoming.

What Is Not Yet Public

As of this writing:

• No official DOJ or FBI press release has been published on Justice.gov or FBI.gov
• No publicly available charging documents have been linked on DOJ press portals
• The identity and charges of the fifth suspect have not been released

SHR Media will update this report as soon as official federal press releases or court documents become available.

Source Attribution (for linking)

• Reuters – Federal court filings and DOJ statements
• Associated Press – Arrest details and evidence descriptions
• Public statements from FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi

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