Micah James Legnon, 29, of New Iberia, pled guilty in federal court to Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to Terrorists, in violation of Title 18, Section 2339A(a)(1) of the United States Code. His sentencing and the plea agreement’s formal acceptance before United States District Court Judge David C. Joseph is scheduled for December 11, 2026, at 2 p.m.
“Today’s guilty plea reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s actions and our Office’s commitment to stopping terroristic threats in their tracks—before they can cause harm,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “We are committed to protecting Louisiana citizens from these dangerous actors, and, along with our state and federal law enforcement partners, will hold accountable those who support vicious acts of terrorism and endanger innocent lives.”
“As we know in Louisiana from terrible experience, the threat from home-grown terrorists is real,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) New Orleans Field Office. “The FBI is extremely grateful for the quick and decisive actions of our partners at the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office to interdict this threat and to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for its determination and resolve to prosecute this case. FBI New Orleans is working closely every day with our partners here in Louisiana and across the world to keep the people of this state free from terrorist violence.”
According to court documents, Legnon is a former U.S. Marine and former New Iberia police officer. In early 2025, Legnon joined the “Order of the Black Lotus,” a faction of the Turtle Island Liberation Front. Court filings describe the group as a radical, anti-government faction that used encrypted messaging to coordinate plans for explosive attacks. Members also discussed ways to build improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and use them in a specific, planned attack on a logistics facility in California.
Digital communication records showed that Legnon joined the group with full understanding of its purpose and agreed to use his military tactical experience to advance the planned attack. Throughout 2025, he talked with members about making IEDs and saved a photo of an explosive device with instructions on his phone. Legnon also offered to train others in urban tactics, target accuracy, and combat shooting. To this end, he downloaded and stored extensive combat-related guides, including material related to close-range combat, land navigation, patrolling, ambush tactics, and demolition. Legnon was further found to have kept assault rifles, SWAT and sniper training manuals, and other combat-related items at his home.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office.
This case is part of the nationwide National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 initiative, which is a White House-directed, interagency effort to integrate federal, state, and local partners in protecting First Amendment rights while targeting individuals and organizations engaged in political violence and is led by the investigative and prosecutorial Joint Task Force Vanguard.
More information can be found at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 6:26-CR-00198.