Micah James Legnon, 28, of New Iberia, La., was arrested on Dec. 13 on a criminal complaint filed in the Western District of Louisiana charging him with threatening Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, the U.S. Department of Justice announced on Dec. 19.
According to the department, Legnon, also known as “Dark Witch” and “Kateri the Witch,” is affiliated with the Turtle Island Liberation Front, a pro-Palestinian, anti-government and anti-capitalist extremist group.
According to court documents, Legnon participated in a TILF-affiliated chat called “Order of the Black Lotus,” where he discussed “teaching other TILF members urban warfare” and posted threatening messages about ICE officers both in the chat and on social media.
“The FBI is steadfast in our commitment to protect the American people and those who wear the badge to protect our communities,” FBI director Kash Patel said.
Legnon, who the department said has a military background, was under FBI surveillance due to his affiliation with TILF members plotting coordinated IED bombing attacks in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve, who were arrested on Dec. 12.
The same day, agents observed Legnon leaving his residence with what appeared to be an assault rifle and body armor. He was stopped by the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, which recovered an assault rifle, a pistol, a gas canister and body armor from his vehicle.
A subsequent search of his residence uncovered sniper and SWAT training manuals, assault rifles and ammunition, prosecutors said. The investigation remains ongoing.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department will continue to “aggressively target violent extremist groups like the Turtle Island Liberation Front.”
