Four men suspected of planning a coordinated New Year’s Eve bombing campaign across Southern California were arrested last week in Lucerne Valley, a desert city east of Los Angeles.
Arrests and Investigation
On Monday, federal authorities announced the arrests of four alleged members of an extremist group who are suspected of planning coordinated bombing attacks on New Year’s Eve across Southern California. The suspects were apprehended last week in Lucerne Valley, where investigators believe they were preparing to test improvised explosive devices ahead of the planned attacks, according to a federal criminal complaint filed Saturday. The complaint names the suspects as members of an offshoot of the pro-Palestinian group Turtle Island Liberation Front.
The Group and Charges
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli described the group as a “radical anti-government” organization during a news conference Monday. The four men face charges of conspiracy and possession of a destructive device, as detailed in court documents. The indictment alleges they plotted a series of bombings at multiple targets in California beginning on New Year’s Eve and also targeted Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and vehicles, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi on social media.
Evidence and Plans
According to the complaint, one suspect created a detailed plan to bomb five or more locations across Southern California on New Year’s Eve. Essayli said the plan “included step-by-step instructions to build IEDs … and listed multiple targets across Orange County and Los Angeles.” Photographs in the court filings show a desert campsite where investigators found bomb‑making materials on plastic folding tables. The suspects “all brought bomb‑making components to the campsite, including various sizes of PVC pipes, suspected potassium nitrate, charcoal, charcoal powder, sulfur powder, and material to be used as fuses, among others,” the complaint states.
Key Takeaways
- Four suspects arrested in Lucerne Valley, linked to Turtle Island Liberation Front.
- They are charged with conspiracy and possession of destructive devices for a planned New Year’s Eve bombing spree.
- Evidence includes a detailed IED plan and bomb‑making supplies found at a desert campsite.
The arrests come as federal authorities intensify efforts to prevent a potentially deadly attack on the holiday. Officials continue to investigate the extent of the plot and the suspects’ connections to the broader extremist network.
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