Dante Gaffield to Plead Guilty in Terrorism Plot
The 25-year-old suspect agrees to plead guilty to providing material support to a terrorist group.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Terrorism
Dante Gaffield is set to enter a guilty plea for his role in providing material support to the Turtle Island Liberation Front. The group was charged with conspiring to conduct anti-government attacks across Southern California.
Why it matters
The plea highlights the resolution of the first phase of a broader federal terrorism case involving a group that allegedly planned to detonate multiple explosive devices. Prosecutors aim to dismantle the organization’s efforts to carry out coordinated attacks.
Gaffield faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison for providing material support to terrorists. His three co-defendants remain in custody awaiting a trial currently set for May 2027.
The players
Dante Gaffield
He is a 25-year-old individual who has agreed to plead guilty to providing material support to terrorists.
Turtle Island Liberation Front
This is an anti-government and anti-capitalist organization that allegedly planned a series of coordinated attacks.
Audrey Carroll
She is a 31-year-old co-defendant facing charges including conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction.
Zachary Page
He is a 33-year-old co-defendant awaiting trial for his alleged role in the bombing plot.
Tina Lai
She is a 42-year-old co-defendant who remains involved in the federal case alongside her peers.
The details
The defendants allegedly procured chemicals including potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal to construct backpack explosives meant for simultaneous detonation. Law enforcement authorities infiltrated the group, leading to the arrests of all four individuals near Twentynine Palms in December 2025.
Timeline
Summer 2025: Dante Gaffield joined the group.
October 2025: A meeting was held at a park near Union Station.
November 2025: Audrey Carroll drafted a document detailing a bombing plot.
December 12, 2025: Defendants were arrested in the Mojave Desert.
May 2027: Trial scheduled for Carroll, Page, and Lai.
Legal Context
Federal prosecutors continue to utilize the federal material support to terrorists statute to target domestic extremist cells. This plea follows a pattern of high-stakes federal investigations into groups allegedly seeking to use weapons of mass destruction.
The arrests near Twentynine Palms and the subsequent neutralization of the group removed a direct safety threat from Southern California. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant of suspicious activities that may relate to domestic security.
The takeaway
The successful infiltration and arrest of this group highlights the efficacy of federal intelligence in preventing domestic terror plots. Citizens can improve public safety by reporting any suspicious procurement of explosive precursors to local authorities.
What happens next
The trial for co-defendants Audrey Carroll, Zachary Page, and Tina Lai is scheduled to begin in May 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the federal response to extremism by visiting the terrorism page.
