Federal prosecutors have indicted a brother and sister in connection with the placement of a suspected explosive device at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, the FBI confirmed Thursday, with one of the suspects believed to have fled to China before charges were unsealed.

Alen Zheng, who authorities believe planted the device, faces charges of attempted damage to government property by fire or explosion, unlawful making of a destructive device, and possession of an unregistered destructive device. The FBI said he is currently in China. His sister, Ann Mary Zheng, was arrested by FBI Tampa and charged with accessory after the fact and tampering with evidence. According to court documents, she is accused of concealing or damaging a 2010 Mercedes-Benz to prevent it from being used as evidence in legal proceedings.

The case traces back to March 16, when FBI Tampa announced that a suspicious package had been discovered outside the MacDill visitor center, prompting Tampa Police Department officers to block traffic along South Dale Mabry Highway near the base’s main entrance.

MacDill is among the most strategically significant military installations in the United States. It serves as the headquarters of U.S. Central Command, which is currently directing Operation Epic Fury against Iran, as well as U.S. Special Operations Command, the body that oversees all special operations forces across the Department of Defense.

FBI Director Kash Patel praised the investigative effort in a statement, saying the indictments reflected close coordination between federal, state, and local partners. “No one who targets our brave service members and military facilities will ever get away with it,” Patel said, adding that the bureau would “pursue all those responsible for the incident at MacDill Air Force Base to the ends of the earth.”

It remains unclear what motivated the alleged plot or what connection, if any, the suspects have to any foreign government or extremist organization. The FBI has not publicly addressed how or when Alen Zheng left the country, or whether extradition efforts are underway.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)