2 charged in connection with alleged explosive device at MacDill Air Force Base: FBI

(WASHINGTON) -- The FBI has announced charges against a brother and sister in connection with an alleged improvised explosive device that was found near the visitors center at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida last week.

The device was placed near the visitor's center of MacDill Air Force Base on the evening of March 10, but was only discovered by base personnel on March 16, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, Gregory Kehoe, said at a press conference in Tampa on Thursday. 

The device "could have been potentially very deadly," and "could have caused significant damage to people that were in the range," Kehoe said. 

It was flown in a specialized container via helicopter to the FBI lab in Huntsville, Alabama, where it is undergoing further analysis for possible fingerprint, DNA and other forensic evidence. 

Minutes after the device was placed on March 10, a call was made to 911 stating that a bomb was on the base, Kehoe said, but the caller did not indicate where it could be found.  

After a search of the base, no device was immediately found, he said. 

Alen Zheng was charged by indictment with one count of attempted damage of government property by fire or explosion, one count of unlawful making of a destructive device and possession of an unregistered destructive device.

Ann Mary Zheng was also indicted on charges alleging that she was an accessory after the fact and tampered with evidence by attempting to destroy, mutilate and conceal a 2010 black Mercedes GLK 350.

"A brother and sister have now been indicted," FBI Director Kash Patel said in a post on X on Thursday. "One is in custody for accessory and evidence tampering and the primary suspect is charged with explosives offenses and is currently in China."

The next day, both Alen Zheng Ann Mary Zheng allegedly made plans to flee, selling their car, the black Mercedes, and buying plane tickets to China. 

Once the device was discovered on March 16, authorities said the investigation ramped up quickly. Zheng was identified through information associated with the cell phone used to make the 911 call, surveillance video, and other evidence, officials said. 

 The motive for placing the alleged IED remains unknown, Kehoe said. 

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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