FBI Tampa Obtains Indictments Against Siblings in MacDill AFB Bomb Plot

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Federal investigators announced yesterday that a grand jury has returned indictments against a brother and sister from Land O’ Lakes in connection with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) discovered at MacDill Air Force Base. The FBI’s Tampa Field Office confirmed that 20 Year old Alen Zheng and 27 year old Ann Mary Zheng are facing multiple federal charges following an intensive investigation into a suspicious package found outside a visitor center gate last week. The base is home to the headquarters of both U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. Special Operations Command.

According to federal officials, Alen Zheng allegedly planted the homemade device outside the gate on March 10 before calling 911 to report a bomb on the premises. While base personnel initially failed to locate the threat following the call, the device was eventually discovered on March 16, prompting an immediate lockdown and an FBI investigation. Authorities revealed yesterday that the device, while it failed to detonate, contained energetic materials and was built with the intent to cause significant damage to the military facility.

Investigators say that just two days after planting the device, Alen Zheng fled the United States and is currently believed to be in China. Federal prosecutors have charged him with attempted damage of government property by fire or explosion, as well as the unlawful making and possession of an unregistered destructive device. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the agency is working with international partners to locate the younger Zheng, emphasizing that the U.S. will pursue all those responsible... to the ends of the earth.

His sister, Ann Mary Zheng, was taken into federal custody yesterday upon her return to Florida from China. She faces charges of evidence tampering and being an accessory after the fact. Prosecutors allege that she assisted her brother in his escape and worked to corruptly alter and conceal the vehicle a 2010 Mercedes Benz used to transport the IED to the base. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison, while her brother faces up to 40 years for his role as the alleged primary suspect.

The motive behind the plot remains under investigation, though U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe noted that the suspects obviously felt quite strongly against the government. The incident occurred as MacDill Air Force Base remains on heightened alert due to ongoing U.S. military operations in the Middle East and elsewhere. Federal agents who searched the Zheng family home reportedly found additional IED components consistent with the bomb left at the gate, further solidifying the case against the siblings.


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