A federal grand jury has indicted four individuals in connection with a planned bombing plot targeting Southern California on New Year’s Eve. The suspects, identified as Audrey Illeene Carroll (30), Zachary Aaron Page (32), Dante James Anthony-Gaffield (24), and Tina Lai (41), are all residents of the Los Angeles area.
Charges Against the Suspects
Each of the accused faces two serious charges:
- Providing and attempting to provide material support to terrorists.
- Possession of unregistered firearms.
Additionally, Carroll and Page are charged with conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction. These indictments were announced by the Department of Justice.
Details of the Terror Plot
The suspects are allegedly affiliated with the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), an anti-capitalist and anti-government organization. Carroll described her faction of TILF as “radical” and communicated with the group through an encrypted messaging platform named “Order of the Black Lotus.”
In November, Carroll authored an extensive handwritten document titled “Operation Midnight Sun,” outlining a bomb plot aimed at various U.S. businesses in Southern California. The document contained critical details, including:
- Specific targets for the bombing campaign.
- Instructions on manufacturing bombs.
- Guidelines for sourcing bomb-making materials.
- Strategies to evade detection and avoid leaving evidence.
The bombing plan aimed to “completely pulverize” its targets, which included multiple technology and logistics firms in the region.
Preparations and Arrests
In early December, the group obtained materials necessary for bomb construction. On December 12, they traveled to the Mojave Desert to test explosives as part of their planned attack. Fortunately, the FBI arrested them before they could produce any operational devices.
Legal Proceedings and Consequences
All four suspects are currently in federal custody without bond. They will face arraignment in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles on the following dates:
- Tina Lai: January 2, 2026
- Audrey Illeene Carroll and Zachary Aaron Page: January 5, 2026
- Dante James Anthony-Gaffield: January 20, 2026
If found guilty, Carroll and Page may receive life sentences, while Gaffield and Lai could face up to 25 years in prison. In addition, a fifth individual connected to the group was recently arrested in New Orleans for planning a separate attack.
According to First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli, the seriousness of this case underscores the determination of law enforcement to combat domestic terrorism. The DOJ continues to investigate this matter thoroughly.
