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Federal authorities announced Monday that four alleged members of an extremist group were arrested on suspicion of planning coordinated bombing attacks across Southern California on New Year’s Eve.
The suspects were taken into custody last week in Lucerne Valley, a desert community east of Los Angeles, where investigators believe they were preparing to test improvised explosive devices ahead of the planned attacks, according to a federal criminal complaint filed Saturday.
Prosecutors allege the four are members of an offshoot of a pro-Palestinian group known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli described the group during a news conference on Monday as a “radical anti-government” organization. Each suspect faces federal charges that include conspiracy and possession of a destructive device, according to court records.
Authorities allege the group was plotting to carry out a series of bombings at multiple locations across California beginning on New Year’s Eve. Attorney General Pam Bondi said on social media that the suspects also planned to target Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and vehicles.
“After an intense investigation, the Department of Justice, working with our @FBI, prevented what would have been a massive and horrific terror plot in the Central District of California (Orange County and Los Angeles). The Turtle Island Liberation Front—a far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group—was preparing to conduct a series of bombings against multiple targets in California beginning on New Year’s Eve,” Bondi posted to X.
“The group also planned to target ICE agents and vehicles. This was an incredible effort by our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the @FBI to ensure Americans can live in peace. We will continue to pursue these terror groups and bring them to justice,” she added.
Officials said the arrests occurred near Twentynine Palms, California, home to a major Marine Corps base. All four suspects are from the Los Angeles area. According to prosecutors, one suspect drafted a detailed plan outlining attacks on at least five locations across Southern California.