FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Federal authorities have charged Alen Zheng, 20, and his sister Ann Mary Zheng, 27, after a suspicious explosive device was discovered outside MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa earlier this month. The pair faces separate federal indictments issued this Wednesday, with Ann currently in custody while Alen remains at large after reportedly fleeing to China.
Alen Zheng has been charged with attempting to damage government property, making a destructive device unlawfully, and possessing an unregistered explosive. The indictment details the suspicious package found at MacDill, prompting an immediate FBI investigation.
Meanwhile, Ann Mary Zheng is charged with witness tampering and acting as an accessory after the fact in Alen's case. Online court records do not show any legal representation for them at this time.
The package was discovered on March 16, leading to heightened security measures at the base, which houses the U.S. Central Command that oversees military operations across various regions including the Middle East. This incident forms part of broader security concerns that have intensified since the onset of the war in Iran.
Additionally, another man was arrested earlier this week for making threatening calls to the base following the discovery of the device; however, he has not been linked to the Zheng siblings. As investigations proceed, officials urge heightened awareness of potential threats at military installations.
Alen Zheng has been charged with attempting to damage government property, making a destructive device unlawfully, and possessing an unregistered explosive. The indictment details the suspicious package found at MacDill, prompting an immediate FBI investigation.
Meanwhile, Ann Mary Zheng is charged with witness tampering and acting as an accessory after the fact in Alen's case. Online court records do not show any legal representation for them at this time.
The package was discovered on March 16, leading to heightened security measures at the base, which houses the U.S. Central Command that oversees military operations across various regions including the Middle East. This incident forms part of broader security concerns that have intensified since the onset of the war in Iran.
Additionally, another man was arrested earlier this week for making threatening calls to the base following the discovery of the device; however, he has not been linked to the Zheng siblings. As investigations proceed, officials urge heightened awareness of potential threats at military installations.
