LOS ANGELES — A federal grand jury has indicted four California residents on terrorism related charges after prosecutors alleged they conspired to carry out a coordinated mass bombing campaign across Southern California timed for New Year’s Eve.
The defendants are Audrey Illeene Carroll, Zachary Aaron Page, Dante Gaffield, and Tina Lai. All four were charged following a lengthy investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and federal prosecutors.
According to the indictment, prosecutors allege the group planned a multi-site bombing spree targeting technology companies, logistics hubs, and federal immigration enforcement personnel. Court documents say the group selected targets, tested explosives, and stockpiled bomb making materials in preparation for the attacks.
Federal authorities allege the defendants operated under the name Turtle Island Liberation Front, with a splinter cell calling itself the Order of the Black Lotus. Prosecutors say the group embraced extremist ideology and explicitly aligned itself with Hamas while preparing violent acts inside the United States.
The indictment states that while building explosive devices, members of the group pledged allegiance to Hamas and exchanged messages praising terrorism and violence. Prosecutors cited encrypted communications recovered by investigators that included statements such as “Death to Israel. Death to the USA,” “I identify as a terrorist,” “I am a Hamas fangirl,” and “Destroy Zionism by any means necessary.”
One message cited by prosecutors read, “Glory to the martyrs and death to Israel.”
Federal officials said the messages were not rhetorical. According to court filings, Carroll authored a detailed operational plan referred to as “Operation Midnight Sun,” which allegedly outlined coordinated attacks intended to cause mass casualties and infrastructure damage.
Investigators say materials recovered from Carroll’s residence included extremist posters bearing inverted red triangles and slogans such as “Death to America. Long live Turtle Island and Palestine.” Prosecutors allege the symbols and language are consistent with propaganda associated with terrorist organizations and violent extremist movements.
On Dec. 12, authorities say the defendants traveled to the Mojave Desert, where they assembled and detonated explosive devices as part of testing and training. The FBI alleges that during the search of properties linked to the defendants, agents recovered PVC pipes, potassium nitrate, sulfur, gasoline, electronic components, and pistol primers.
Photos included in court filings show bomb components laid out next to a sign reading “Free Palestine,” which prosecutors argue demonstrates ideological motivation rather than isolated criminal behavior.
That same week, prosecutors allege members of the group promoted and participated in a protest outside a Los Angeles synagogue. According to the indictment, participants described Jewish congregants as “genocidal monsters” and said Jews should “never live in peace,” language Jewish leaders say reflects clear antisemitism and incitement to violence.
Federal officials stressed that the synagogue protest was not protected political expression when viewed alongside alleged preparations for violent attacks.
“The evidence indicates this was not a protest,” one federal law enforcement official said in a briefing. “It was operational planning tied to violent extremist ideology.”
The defendants are charged with conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and providing material support to terrorism, among other offenses. Prosecutors said two of the defendants face potential life sentences if convicted, while the remaining two could receive decades-long prison terms.
Authorities emphasized that the charges are allegations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Jewish security organizations said the case highlights the real-world consequences of antisemitic incitement and extremist rhetoric.
“This case demonstrates that calls to destroy Zionism and praise for terrorist groups do not remain abstract,” a Jewish community security official said. “They translate into bombs, targets, and imminent threats to Jewish life.”
Federal officials credited coordinated intelligence and surveillance efforts with disrupting the alleged plot before any attack could occur. They urged the public to report credible threats and extremist activity.
The case comes amid continued warnings from the FBI that Jewish institutions remain among the most frequently targeted sites for domestic terrorism and ideologically motivated violence in the United States.
Court proceedings are expected to continue in federal court in the coming weeks as prosecutors prepare to present evidence and defense attorneys respond to the charges.
