The FBI recently thwarted a potential terrorist threat by arresting four members of a radical anti-government group believed to have been planning bombings in Los Angeles.
The group, known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), is described as far-left and pro-Palestine, targeting logistics centers of five unidentified companies within Los Angeles County, as FBI Director Kash Patel disclosed on Monday.
Additionally, TILF aimed to attack U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and their vehicles.
Those arrested include Audrey Ilene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41. They face charges for conspiracy and possession of an unregistered explosive device.
The arrests occurred in Lucerne Valley, where they were reportedly testing explosives prior to their planned attacks, with all four suspects scheduled to appear in a Los Angeles federal court on Monday.
“We intend to file additional charges in the coming weeks as we finish reviewing the evidence,” stated Bill Essayli, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California.
“The defendants are part of the Turtle Island Liberation Front, which characterizes itself as an anti-capitalist, anti-gun movement that encourages its members to resist capitalism,” he continued.
According to Akil Davis, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, the investigation spanned across the country, culminating in the arrest of a fifth suspect in New Orleans for coordinating a similar attack.
TILF’s Instagram account has shared images of its members displaying Palestinian flags and posters advocating for violence against ICE. The group has openly criticized the U.S. government, labeling it an “illegal American empire.”
“Freeing the world from American imperialism is essential for a peaceful future,” the group has stated.
Essayli acknowledged the role of President Donald Trump’s recent executive order, which targets far-left domestic terrorism groups like Antifa, as instrumental in prompting the investigation that uncovered the planned bombings.
“As the president emphasized, the recent attacks have revealed serious threats from these far-left domestic terror groups,” Essayli said. “These actions undermine democratic processes.”
He praised the efforts of the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the FBI, saying they are committed to ensuring public safety.
Overall, this investigation showcases the continued vigilance of law enforcement against domestic terrorism and the collaborative efforts in keeping communities safe.
