Federal authorities have charged a brother and sister for their involvement in placing a possible explosive device at MacDill Air Force Base, a vital military installation associated with the ongoing conflict involving Iran, according to reports.
The FBI has identified Alen Zheng as the individual alleged to have planted the device and noted that he is currently in China. He faces multiple charges, including attempted damage to government property by fire or explosion and unlawful possession of a destructive device.
His sister, Ann Mary Zheng, was taken into custody by the FBI in Tampa and is charged with being an accessory after the fact and tampering with evidence. It is claimed that she attempted to conceal a 2010 Mercedes-Benz to obstruct legal proceedings.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the investigative efforts of the FBI and their collaboration with various agencies. He emphasized, “No one who targets our brave service members and military facilities will ever get away with it,” reiterating the FBI’s commitment to pursuing those responsible for the incident at MacDill.
🚨 An IED was placed at MacDill Air Force Base – home to CENTCOM and U.S. Special Operations Command.
A brother and sister have now been indicted. One is in custody for accessory and evidence tampering and the primary suspect is charged with explosives offenses and is currently… pic.twitter.com/am6YWbgZCt
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) March 26, 2026
The indictments were made public on Thursday morning, and a news conference is planned for later that day. The case originated from a disturbance on March 16, when authorities revealed that a suspicious package had been located near the MacDill visitor center, resulting in significant law enforcement activity and traffic disruptions.
MacDill serves as a high-value target due to its critical role. It is home to U.S. Central Command, responsible for overseeing operations against Iran, along with U.S. Special Operations Command, which manages operations across the military.
While the precise details of the device have not been disclosed, the indictment suggests that it was equipped with explosive elements, indicating that it could have been aimed at damaging government assets.
With one suspect overseas, the investigation is proceeding on two fronts: managing legal actions against the sister in Florida while also seeking to locate and prosecute the brother abroad. Although the FBI has not provided details on extradition, officials have conveyed that the investigation remains active.
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