Christopher Johnson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Springfield Field Office, also praised the operation and the collaborative approach taken by participating agencies.
“Operations like this reflect the strength that comes from close cooperation among law enforcement agencies,” Johnson said in a statement.
Johnson added that the arrests demonstrate the FBI’s ongoing commitment to protecting the public.
“The successful arrests made during this sweep represent FBI Springfield’s continued dedication to crushing violent crime and keeping our neighborhoods safe,” he said.
Local officials echoed those sentiments, noting that joint task forces allow agencies to share intelligence, pool resources, and act more efficiently than any single department could alone.
Operation Safe Christmas: A Broader National Effort
Operation Safe Christmas is one of several seasonal initiatives led by the Department of Justice that aim to enhance public safety during times when communities experience increased travel, gatherings, and economic activity.
Historically, the holiday season has seen spikes in certain types of criminal activity, including theft, drug trafficking, and violent crime.
Federal officials said targeted enforcement efforts help deter criminal behavior and reassure the public during this period.
While the Illinois operation drew particular attention due to the number of arrests made in a short timeframe, similar efforts are reportedly underway in other regions across the country.
FBI Disrupts Alleged Terror Plot in California
According to officials, four individuals allegedly connected to a radical extremist group were arrested in connection with a suspected plot to carry out coordinated bombing attacks in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve.
The FBI confirmed to Fox News Digital that the suspects identified themselves as members of a radical offshoot of the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF). Authorities described the group as being driven by pro-Palestinian, anti-government, and anti-law enforcement ideologies.
According to investigators, the suspects allegedly planned to use improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to target five separate locations throughout Los Angeles.
Arrests Made During Alleged Bomb-Making Preparations
Federal authorities said the four suspects were arrested in Lucerne Valley, California, where investigators believe they were preparing to test explosive devices ahead of the planned attacks.
Each of the four individuals has been charged with conspiracy and possession of a destructive device, serious federal offenses that carry significant penalties if convicted.
Officials emphasized that the arrests were made before any devices were deployed, preventing potential loss of life and damage.
“The FBI’s goal is always prevention,” a law enforcement source said. “In this case, that goal was achieved.”
Fifth Arrest Made in New Orleans
According to officials, the suspect was allegedly planning a separate attack and shared ideological ties with the TILF group.
Investigators are continuing to analyze communications and digital evidence to determine the full scope of the group’s activities and whether additional individuals may be involved.
Ideology and Online Activity
According to an Instagram account associated with the Turtle Island Liberation Front, the group’s founding chapter is based in Los Angeles.
The account describes its mission as liberating “Turtle Island,” an Indigenous term referring to North America, from what the group characterizes as the “illegal American empire.”
Posts from the account include slogans such as “Free Palestine. Free Hawaii.
Free Puerto Rico,” and claim that dismantling what the group describes as American imperialism is necessary to achieve global peace.
Federal authorities have not alleged that the group represents mainstream pro-Palestinian activism, emphasizing instead that the suspects are accused of involvement in violent extremist activity.
