Federal Authorities Arrest Four Suspects in Mojave Desert Over Planned New Year’s Eve Bombings

Federal authorities arrested four suspects in a remote Mojave Desert site after uncovering evidence of bomb‑making preparations for a planned New Year’s Eve attack in Southern California.

Arrests and Charges

The arrests were made last week in Lucerne Valley, a San Bernardino community located in the southern Mojave Desert northeast of Los Angeles. Federal officials said the four individuals were linked to an extremist group and faced charges that included conspiracy and possession of a destructive device. All four suspects are from the Los Angeles area, according to the complaint filed Saturday. The charges stem from a federal criminal complaint that alleged the suspects had planned coordinated bombings on New Year’s Eve.

Evidence and Site

The complaint states that the suspects were preparing to test improvised explosive devices in the desert before executing the planned bombings. Investigators described the desert campsite as a makeshift laboratory where bomb‑making materials were scattered across plastic folding tables. Evidence photos included in the court documents show the layout of the site, highlighting the presence of PVC pipes, suspected potassium nitrate, charcoal, charcoal powder, sulfur powder, and materials that could serve as fuses. These components were reportedly brought to the campsite by the suspects in order to construct the devices. The site also contained other items that investigators said could be used to facilitate the creation of improvised explosive devices. The complaint emphasizes that the suspects were actively engaged in bomb‑making activities at the location.

Aerial Video

Aerial video released by authorities shows the operation in the desert shortly before the arrests. The footage, dated December 12, captures the suspects moving equipment and assembling components at the campsite. Law enforcement officials highlighted the video during a Monday news conference to illustrate the extent of the planning. The video serves as evidence that the suspects were preparing for a large‑scale terror plot in the Central District of California. It also demonstrates the seriousness of the threat posed by the suspects’ activities. The authorities used the footage to support the charges brought against the four individuals.

Planned Bombings

According to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, the group had devised a plan to set off bombings at multiple targets across Southern California on New Year’s Eve. Essayli said one of the suspects created a detailed map that listed five or more locations, including sites in Orange County and Los Angeles. The plan included step‑by‑step instructions to build IEDs, as well as a list of potential targets. Essayli said, “It included step‑by‑step instructions to build IEDs… and listed multiple targets across Orange County and Los Angeles.” The suspect’s notes specifically named Orange County and Los Angeles as target areas. Essayli added that the plan also identified Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and vehicles as potential targets. The federal complaint alleges that the suspects intended to execute coordinated bombings that would have caused widespread damage and loss of life. The planned attacks were scheduled to occur on New Year’s Eve, a date that would have maximized the impact of the terror plot. The group’s strategy was to create a series of bombings that would overwhelm emergency response resources.

Desert Site Details

The desert campsite was located in a remote area of the Mojave, providing the suspects with seclusion for their preparations. The site’s isolation made it an ideal location for testing improvised explosive devices without attracting attention. Investigators noted that the suspects had set up a makeshift work area with plastic folding tables and various bomb‑making tools. The presence of PVC pipes and suspected potassium nitrate indicated that the suspects were attempting to create high‑yield explosives. Charcoal, charcoal powder, and sulfur powder were also found, suggesting the suspects were experimenting with different explosive formulations. The evidence collected at the site supports the allegations that the suspects were actively constructing devices. The authorities also found materials that could serve as fuses, further indicating that the suspects were preparing to deploy the bombs. The site’s condition at the time of the arrests shows a clear pattern of bomb‑making activity.

Group Background

The suspects are members of an offshoot of the pro‑Palestinian group known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli described the group as a “radical anti‑government” organization during a Monday news conference. The complaint characterizes the group as a far‑left extremist organization. The Turtle Island Liberation Front has been linked to other violent incidents in the past. The group’s ideology centers on anti‑government sentiments and support for Palestinian causes. The organization’s extremist activities have drawn the attention of federal law enforcement agencies. The group’s membership includes individuals who have been involved in previous domestic terrorism investigations. The federal complaint alleges that the suspects’ affiliation with the group played a key role in the planning of the bombings.

Official Statements

At the Monday news conference, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized that the suspects’ plan represented a serious threat to public safety. Essayli highlighted that the plan included detailed instructions for building IEDs and identified multiple targets across Orange County and Los Angeles. Attorney General Pam Bondi also commented on the case via social media, noting that the group intended to target Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and vehicles. Both officials underscored the importance of the federal government’s role in preventing a massive terror plot. The statements from federal officials served to inform the public about the nature of the threat and the authorities’ response. They also reinforced the seriousness of the charges brought against the four individuals. The officials’ remarks were part of a broader effort to maintain transparency about the investigation. The statements were released to the media and the public during the same news conference.

Prevention and Investigation

The Department of Justice, in collaboration with the FBI, worked to prevent what would have been a massive and horrific terror plot in the Central District of California. The investigation involved a detailed review of evidence collected at the desert campsite. Law enforcement agencies monitored the suspects’ movements and communications leading up to the arrests. The authorities used the aerial video and forensic analysis to build a comprehensive case against the suspects. The investigation also included coordination with local law enforcement in San Bernardino County. The Department of Justice and FBI’s efforts were credited with averting a potential catastrophe on New Year’s Eve. The collaboration between federal and local agencies demonstrated the effectiveness of joint counterterrorism operations. The authorities plan to continue monitoring for any related threats in the region.

Key Takeaways

• Four suspects linked to a pro‑Palestinian extremist group were arrested for planning New Year’s Eve bombings in Southern California.
• Evidence from a desert campsite, including bomb‑making materials and aerial video, proved the suspects were actively preparing devices.
• Federal authorities, with the FBI, prevented a large‑scale terror plot by arresting the suspects before the planned attacks could occur.