Former Marine tied to L.A. bombing plot planned attack in New Orleans
A former U.S. Marine was charged after federal investigators said he planned to carry out an armed attack in New Orleans while associating with an extremist network tied to a separate bombing plot in Los Angeles, according to court records.
The charge was filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. Federal authorities allege Micah James Legnon, a resident of New Iberia, Louisiana, violated federal law by making threats in interstate commerce, according to a criminal complaint filed by the FBI.
Legnon, also known as “Kateri” and “Black Witch,” is accused of being associated with members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front, an anti-government and anti-capitalist movement, according to the affidavit.
Investigators said Legnon operated under the username “Darkwitch” in a Signal messaging group called “Order of the Black Lotus,” which authorities described as a radical faction where members discussed bomb-making, operational planning, and testing explosive devices.
According to investigators, a confidential source provided law enforcement with a handwritten document titled “Operation Midnight Sun,” which outlined a plan for coordinated bombings using pipe bombs, simultaneous detonations on New Year’s Eve, and measures to evade law enforcement.
Authorities said Legnon was not identified as the author of the plan but was a member of the same encrypted group chat where the plot was discussed.
According to the criminal complaint, investigators believe Legnon intended to carry out an attack in New Orleans, and he was detained along U.S. Highway 90 while he was traveling east toward NOLA. Authorities said an assault rifle, a pistol, body armor, and a gas canister were found inside the vehicle.
Agents also searched Legnon’s residence, where they said they also recovered assault rifles, ammunition, sniper training manuals, SWAT training manuals, and other tactical materials.
Court records state that Legnon previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps and received combat training.
The filing comes as federal authorities continue investigating the Turtle Island Liberation Front. On Monday, four people were arrested after officials disrupted what they described as a planned series of improvised explosive device attacks in the Los Angeles area timed for New Year’s Eve.
Authorities said the California suspects were stopped before any functional explosive devices were completed, and the investigation remains ongoing.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
