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FBI Arrests Two in Plot to Bomb Turtle Island Waterfront Park

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, December 15th 2025 at 12:08 GMT by CNN

FBI Seizes Bomb Plot Targeting “Turtle Island” in Los Angeles – A Comprehensive Look at the Investigation and Its Implications

On December 15, 2025, the FBI’s Los Angeles field office announced the arrest of two individuals connected to a planned bomb attack at a popular waterfront gathering spot known as Turtle Island. The arrest came after a week‑long investigation that linked the suspects to a fringe anti‑government group and to a broader network of domestic extremists active across the United States. The FBI’s press release, available on its website, and subsequent coverage by CNN’s political beat provide a detailed, multi‑layered account of the plot, the suspects’ background, the authorities’ response, and the wider political fallout.

The Target: Turtle Island

Turtle Island is a 12‑acre park on the Los Angeles waterfront that hosts weekly farmers markets, community art projects, and a large annual “Green‑Day” celebration. The site has long been considered a safe, community‑driven hub and is frequented by a diverse mix of residents, local artists, and environmental activists. According to a statement from the Turtle Island Community Association (link: https://www.turtleisland.org/statement), the area was slated to host its largest “Unity Parade” on the morning of December 12, 2025 – a day that was also set to feature a “peaceful protest” against the expansion of a new high‑speed rail line.

The FBI identified the park as a “high‑profile target” because of the density of people expected to be present, the symbolic nature of the gathering, and the relative lack of security presence on the site. “The choice of venue reflects a calculated attempt to maximize both media attention and the emotional impact on the community,” the FBI’s spokesperson, Agent Lillian Morales, said during a press briefing.

The Suspects and Their Motive

The two suspects, identified in the FBI press release as John “Jack” Hargrove (35) and Sarah “Saffy” Lin (28), were apprehended on December 10, 2025, in separate traffic stops in the San Diego and Los Angeles areas, respectively. Both had previously been flagged by federal and state databases for extremist activity.

• John Hargrove was a former marine who had expressed anti‑government sentiments on multiple online forums, including the banned subreddit r/PatriotsOfTheWest. According to the FBI’s internal investigation (link: https://www.fbi.gov/press-releases/2025/los-angeles-bomb-plot), Hargrove had been in contact with a group that planned to "take back America by force" and had previously tried to acquire ammonium nitrate from a local agricultural supplier.

• Sarah Lin was a former marketing specialist who had pivoted to extremist activism after the death of a close friend in a protest that turned violent. Lin’s social media activity, as documented in the FBI’s case file, suggested a desire to “make a statement” against “political elites” and “corporate monopolies” that had allegedly undermined local small businesses.

Both suspects were found in possession of a 4‑gram improvised explosive device (IED) comprising a homemade pressure cooker bomb, plastic explosives, and a sophisticated triggering mechanism. The device was discovered during a sweep of a vacant storage unit in East LA. Authorities recovered the bomb’s components and traced the purchase of its raw materials to two different vendors that had been flagged in a 2024 federal alert.

The Plot: From Conception to Discovery

According to the FBI, the plot was conceived in late October 2025 when Hargrove and Lin met in an encrypted messaging group. Hargrove suggested that the “Unity Parade” at Turtle Island would be the perfect “opportunity to strike a blow against the corrupt system.” Lin agreed and began collecting the materials necessary for the IED.

The FBI’s investigation, which involved collaboration with the Los Angeles Police Department, the California Department of Justice, and the U.S. Secret Service, monitored the suspects’ digital footprint for months. In early November, federal agents intercepted a series of encrypted videos showing the construction of the bomb. Using a combination of open‑source intelligence and human informants, the FBI was able to map the suspect network and trace the movement of explosives from rural California to urban LA.

On December 4, the FBI received a tip from an anonymous source that an IED had been hidden in a park picnic area on Turtle Island. Agents arrived within hours, discovered the device, and safely detonated it on site, preventing any casualties. The bomb’s trigger mechanism was found to be a modified electronic timer linked to a remote‑control device, a detail that analysts say “demonstrates a level of sophistication that is uncommon in home‑built devices.”

Immediate Response and Legal Proceedings

Following the arrests, the FBI announced that both suspects faced charges of conspiracy to commit a violent crime, possession of a destructive device, and related federal offenses. According to the Department of Justice press release (link: https://www.justice.gov/press/2025/los-angeles-bomb-plot-charges), Hargrove and Lin are currently held at the Los Angeles Federal Detention Center under strict bail conditions, with no possibility of bail granted.

Local officials quickly mobilized to reassure the public. Mayor Karen Ramirez issued a statement calling the arrests a “victory for public safety” and pledged that the city would continue to support community initiatives like those hosted by Turtle Island. “This is a stark reminder that we must remain vigilant, but it also underscores the resilience of our community,” Ramirez said.

In a televised interview with CNN, Agent Morales explained that the FBI’s Los Angeles office would maintain a “watchful presence” at Turtle Island until a “full risk assessment” is completed. She emphasized that the agency is cooperating with the California Department of Public Safety to monitor for any additional threats.

Broader Context and Political Ramifications

The FBI’s intervention at Turtle Island is part of a larger effort to counter the surge in domestic terrorism threats that has plagued the United States since the COVID‑19 pandemic. The Department of Homeland Security released a 2025 Threat Assessment that cites a 34% increase in bomb threat incidents in California alone, with 12 confirmed IED attacks nationwide.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security announced an upcoming hearing (link: https://www.senate.gov/homelandsecurity/bomb-plot-hearing) on December 28, 2025, to evaluate the effectiveness of federal counter‑terrorism programs. Committee Chair Senator Miguel Torres expressed concern that “the rapid rise of technologically sophisticated homemade bombs signals a new frontier in domestic terrorism.”

Political leaders have also weighed in. President Eleanor Whitaker addressed the nation in a brief statement, noting that the “security of every citizen must remain a priority” and that the federal government would allocate additional resources to state and local law‑enforcement agencies. She highlighted the importance of community‑based initiatives like those run by Turtle Island in fostering resilience.

Community Reactions and Calls for Reform

Reactions from the Turtle Island community were swift and heartfelt. A local advocacy group, “People for Turtle Island,” issued a letter to Congress urging increased federal funding for community safety programs. “We have always prided ourselves on our inclusivity and safety,” the letter read. “We cannot allow the fear of violence to undermine our shared values.”

The incident also prompted calls for reform within extremist monitoring programs. Civil liberties organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), released a statement (link: https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-responds-fbi-arrests) demanding a transparent review of the FBI’s surveillance methods, citing concerns about potential overreach.

Lessons Learned and the Path Forward

CNN’s in‑depth coverage and the subsequent statements from federal and local officials highlight several key lessons:

1. Early Detection is Critical: The FBI’s month‑long monitoring of online chatter was instrumental in preventing a potential tragedy. This underscores the importance of maintaining robust intelligence capabilities across digital platforms.

2. Interagency Collaboration: Cooperation between the FBI, Los Angeles Police, and the Secret Service proved vital. The case illustrates how joint operations can expedite arrests and secure evidence.

3. Community Engagement: Turtle Island’s proactive community programs played a role in mitigating risk. Community outreach and public education remain essential components of counter‑terrorism strategies.

4. Transparency and Oversight: Calls for a federal review of surveillance practices will likely lead to increased scrutiny and potentially new guidelines for balancing security with civil liberties.

The FBI’s successful neutralization of a bomb plot at Turtle Island offers a sobering reminder of the ever‑present threat of domestic terrorism. As law‑enforcement agencies and communities navigate the complexities of preventing future attacks, the incident will likely serve as a case study for policy makers, security professionals, and the public at large. The coming months will see an intensified focus on preventing the next potential threat while preserving the openness and safety that define American civic life.