Federal prosecutors say four men tied to a radical extremist group were preparing coordinated bomb attacks across Southern California before their arrest in the desert east of Los Angeles.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Federal authorities announced Monday that four people have been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged plan to carry out coordinated bombing attacks across Southern California on New Year’s Eve.
According to a federal criminal complaint filed Saturday, the suspects were taken into custody last week in the Lucerne Valley area, where investigators believe they were testing improvised explosive devices in preparation for the attacks. Officials said the arrests occurred near Twentynine Palms, a desert community that is home to a major U.S. Marine Corps base.
Prosecutors allege the four individuals are members of an offshoot of a pro-Palestinian extremist organization known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front. During a Monday news conference, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli described the group as a “radical anti-government” organization.
Court records show the defendants face multiple federal charges, including conspiracy and possession of destructive devices. Authorities allege the group intended to detonate explosives at multiple locations beginning on New Year’s Eve and had also discussed targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and vehicles.
Essayli said all four suspects are from the Los Angeles area. Investigators allege that one of them authored a detailed operational plan outlining step-by-step instructions for constructing improvised explosive devices and identifying at least five potential targets across Orange County and Los Angeles.
Evidence cited in the complaint includes photographs of a desert campsite where law enforcement says bomb-making materials were spread across folding tables. Investigators reported finding PVC pipes of varying sizes, suspected potassium nitrate, charcoal, sulfur powder, fuse materials, and other components commonly associated with homemade explosives.
Federal authorities said additional details about the investigation and arrests would be released during a scheduled news briefing.
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