TAMPA, FL — A brother and sister have been federally indicted for allegedly planting an improvised explosive device at MacDill Air Force Base, with one suspect fleeing to China while the other remains in custody, according to charges unsealed Thursday.
Alen Zheng, 20, is accused of placing the device at the military installation that houses U.S. Central Command, which oversees ongoing military operations against Iran. His sister, Ann Mary Zheng, 27, was arrested by FBI agents and charged with helping cover up the alleged plot. The indictments represent a significant security breach at one of America’s most strategically important military facilities during heightened tensions in the Middle East.
The charges stem from a suspicious package discovered March 16 outside the MacDill visitor center, prompting an immediate FBI investigation. Alen Zheng faces three federal counts: attempted damage to government property by fire or explosion, unlawful making of a destructive device, and possession of an unregistered destructive device. Court documents specifically reference the package found at MacDill in the indictment. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed in a social media post that Alen Zheng has fled to China and remains at large. “Today’s indictments are the result of tremendous investigative work from our FBI teams and great coordination from our state, local, and federal partners across the board,” Patel said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Ann Mary Zheng is charged with accessory after the fact and tampering with evidence, accused of hiding or damaging a 2010 Mercedes-Benz to prevent its use in legal proceedings, according to court documents. She also faces witness tampering charges in connection with her brother’s case. The FBI’s Tampa division arrested her while federal authorities continue pursuing her brother internationally. Online court records did not list attorneys for either defendant. The indictments were unsealed Thursday morning, with federal prosecutors scheduling a news conference for 1:30 p.m. to provide additional details about the investigation and charges.
MacDill Air Force Base serves as headquarters for both U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command, making it a critical hub for American military operations worldwide. CENTCOM currently oversees Operation Epic Fury against Iran, while USSOCOM manages all special operations forces across the Department of War. The base has been on Force Protection Condition Charlie, a heightened security posture, due to recent threats and ongoing military operations in the Middle East. Tampa Police officers blocked traffic along South Dale Mabry Highway near the base’s main entrance on March 16 when the suspicious package was first reported at the gate.
The case comes amid a pattern of threats against MacDill Air Force Base in recent weeks. On March 25, just one day before the Zheng indictments were unsealed, a Pinellas County man was charged with making threatening phone calls involving explosives to the base, prompting a lockdown. However, investigators have found no immediate connection between that caller and the Zheng siblings, and the phone threat suspect has not been accused of planting any devices. The timing of multiple threats against the strategically important installation has raised concerns among federal law enforcement about coordinated efforts to target U.S. military facilities during the Iran conflict.
Federal prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida are handling the case, with additional support from FBI field offices across multiple jurisdictions. The investigation involves coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, according to FBI Director Patel’s statement. Alen Zheng’s flight to China complicates potential extradition efforts, as the United States does not have an extradition treaty with China for most criminal cases. Legal experts note that international fugitive cases can take years to resolve, particularly when suspects flee to countries with limited cooperation agreements with American law enforcement.
The MacDill incident highlights ongoing security challenges at U.S. military installations during periods of heightened international tension. The base’s dual role as headquarters for both CENTCOM and USSOCOM makes it a high-value target for potential threats. Security officials have not disclosed specific details about the explosive device’s composition or potential damage it could have caused, citing the ongoing investigation. The case represents one of the most serious security incidents at a major U.S. military facility since current operations against Iran began.
Ann Mary Zheng remains in federal custody pending court proceedings, while an international manhunt continues for her brother. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has not announced whether additional charges may be filed as the investigation progresses. FBI Director Patel emphasized the bureau’s commitment to pursuing all suspects involved in the plot, stating that “this FBI will pursue all those responsible for the incident at MacDill Air Force Base to the ends of the earth.”
