The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced on the 15th that it had arrested four suspects who were planning to carry out explosive attacks at several locations in California on New Year's Eve.
FBI Director Patel stated on social media that the FBI had thwarted a "credible and imminent terrorist threat" and arrested four individuals linked to the Los Angeles area. These individuals identified themselves as members of a radical faction of the far-left organization "Turtle Island Liberation Front," and were allegedly plotting to use improvised explosive devices to attack five different locations in the Los Angeles area on New Year's Eve. "Turtle Island" is an English term referring to North America.
U.S. Attorney General Bondy also stated on social media the same day that the Justice Department and the FBI had foiled a "large-scale terrorist plot" targeting the Los Angeles area in California. The "Turtle Island Liberation Front" had planned to launch a series of explosive attacks against multiple targets in California starting on New Year's Eve. The organization had also planned attacks against personnel and vehicles of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
According to an indictment submitted by prosecutors to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the four suspects were arrested last week in the city of Lucerne Valley, east of Los Angeles, and are charged with conspiracy and possession of explosive devices.
In addition, Patel stated that the FBI had also arrested another suspect in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the southern United States, who is believed to be connected to the radical faction of the "Turtle Island Liberation Front." This individual is "suspected of planning another violent attack."