A federal courtroom in Los Angeles turned tense Friday morning as prosecutors laid out a sweeping domestic terror case against Zachary Aaron Page — a 32-year-old audio engineer accused of helping plan a New Year’s Eve bombing campaign targeting major shipping companies across Southern California.
According to the New York Post, Page, who identifies as a trans woman, stood before the judge in a beige jail jumpsuit, shoulder-length hair tucked behind glasses, listening as both sides battled over whether Page should be granted release before trial. Supporters watched from the gallery.
Judge Castillo swiftly shut the door on the idea.
“I see intent to cause a bomb. The government has made a forceful argument,” he said, ordering Page to remain held without bond.
Prosecutors argued that Page poses a “grave threat to the community,” citing bomb-making materials that they say were powerful enough to “blow up a car” — and possibly “an entire house.” They also warned that Page presents a serious flight risk.
Page’s defense attorney, John McNicholas, countered that the case is being overblown, insisting there was no assembled explosive device and no real danger. But his arguments failed to persuade the court.
The case centers on what authorities call an extremist cell linked to the Order of the Black Lotus — a faction of the anti-capitalist Turtle Island Liberation Front.
Page is one of five suspects accused of plotting to plant backpack-style pipe bombs at shipping hubs and later escalating to attacks on ICE agents and their vehicles.
Investigators say the group drafted an eight-page plan titled “Operation Midnight Sun,” laying out the scheme in detail.
Burner phones were allegedly obtained and slated to be destroyed afterward, and recordings reportedly captured Page promising weapons access and firearms training — despite having no weapon of their own and no prior experience firing a gun.
Page, prosecutors said, used multiple aliases — “AK,” “Ash Kerrigan,” and “cthulu’s daughter.” They also pointed to Page’s personal life, revealing Page shares a young son with a former wife and owns a house in Long Beach.
Page pleaded to be transferred to a women’s jail. The request was denied.
Co-defendants include Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41. A fifth suspect, Micah James Legnon, 29 — a transgender Marine veteran — was later arrested in connection with the alleged plot.
Authorities say the group was caught in the Mojave Desert attempting to detonate improvised explosive devices. Search warrants turned up signs with slogans declaring “Death to America,” “Death to ICE,” and praise for Turtle Island and Palestine.
Prosecutors also claim Legnon hoped to mirror the deadly 1993 siege in Waco, Texas, with an attack planned in New Orleans while Page and the others targeted California.
If convicted, the defendants face years in federal prison. Officials say the bomb plot, had it not been disrupted, could have become one of the most serious domestic terror attacks in the region’s recent history.
