Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
4 members of alleged 'anti-capitalist' group indicted in SoCal bomb plot
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (center) speaks at a press conference Oct. 8 in Los Angeles.
(
Mario Tama
/
Getty Images
)
Listen
0:45
4 members of alleged 'anti-capitalist' group indicted in SoCal bomb plot
A federal grand jury Tuesday returned a six-count indictment against four members of a group described as “far-left, anti-capitalist and anti-government” that allegedly plotted to set off bombs in Southern California on New Year’s Eve.
Topline:
A federal grand jury Tuesday returned a six-count indictment against four members of a group described as “far-left, anti-capitalist and anti-government” that allegedly plotted to set off bombs in Southern California on New Year’s Eve.
The details: According to the indictment, the defendants are part of the Turtle Island Liberation Front, or TILF.
In November, one of the members allegedly drafted an eight-page, handwritten document titled “Operation Midnight Sun” that described a bombing plot targeting technology and logistics companies across Southern California on New Year’s Eve, according to prosecutors.
Another group member is accused of sending two others a message that read: “death to israel death to the usa death to colonizers death to settler-coloniasm [sic].”
Other targets: The defendants also planned to target U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and vehicles with firearms and pipe bombs to “take some of them out and scare the rest of them,” according to the indictment.
The defendants:
- Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30, a.k.a. “Asiginaak,” and “Black Moon,” of South Los Angeles;
- Zachary Aaron Page, 32, a.k.a. “AK,” “Ash Kerrigan,” and “Cthulu’s Daughter,” of Torrance;
- Dante James Anthony-Gaffield, 24, a.k.a. “Nomad,” of South Los Angeles; and
- Tina Lai, 41, a.k.a. “Kickwhere,” of Glendale.
All are being held in federal custody without bond. Each is charged with one count of providing and attempting to provide material support to terrorists and one count of possession of unregistered firearms.
If convicted, Carroll and Page could be sentenced to life in federal prison. Gaffield and Lai would face at least 25 years in federal prison.
Sponsored message
Reached for comment, an attorney for Lai said only that she would plead not guilty to the charges early next month. Attorneys for Carroll and Gaffield did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.
LAist was not immediately able to identify an attorney for Page.
What’s next: Arraignment is set for Jan. 5 in U.S. District Court.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
