Three of the four suspects accused of plotting a bombing attack on several Southern California business locations on New Year’s Eve have pleaded not guilty to federal charges. The suspects, arrested in December 2025, were allegedly planning to target logistics centers across the region, including facilities linked to large companies.
The Bombing Plot and Arrests
Audrey Carroll, Zachary Page, and Tina Lai all entered their pleas in court, with the fourth suspect, Dante Anthony-Gaffield, scheduled to appear on January 20. The arrests took place on December 12, 2025, in the Mojave Desert east of Los Angeles, where the suspects were reportedly rehearsing their bombing plan before assembling a functional explosive device.
The U.S. District Attorney’s office confirmed that the plot involved attacking at least five business locations in Southern California, described as “Amazon-type” logistical centers. The targeted facilities were not publicly identified.
Charges Against the Suspects
The grand jury indictment lists multiple charges, including providing material support to terrorists, possession of unregistered firearms, and conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction. Carroll and Page face the additional charge of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction. The suspects are said to be affiliated with an anti-capitalist and anti-government group, the Turtle Island Liberation Front, which advocates for decolonization and tribal sovereignty.
Details of the Group’s Activities
The Turtle Island Liberation Front, an offshoot of a broader movement, calls for the working class to rise up against capitalism and imperialism. The group’s members communicated through a radical faction named “Order of the Black Lotus,” where they discussed future plans for more attacks, including targeting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents with pipe bombs.
Trial and Legal Consequences
The trial for Carroll, Page, and Lai is set to begin on February 17, 2026. If convicted, Carroll and Page face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison. Lai and Anthony-Gaffield could each face up to 25 years behind bars. The case highlights the growing concern over extremist plots and the need for robust law enforcement efforts to thwart domestic terrorism.
As the suspects prepare for trial, the Southern California bombing plot underscores the serious threat posed by domestic terrorism. With significant penalties on the line, the case is expected to have wide-reaching implications for similar anti-government groups operating within the U.S.
