A pair of siblings face federal charges after an improvised explosive device was found at a Florida Air Force base that houses the military’s Central Command — which is running the war in Iran, prosecutors said Thursday.
Land O’Lakes resident Alen Zheng, 20, allegedly tried to set off the IED at the visitor’s center at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa earlier this month and his sister Ann Mary Zheng, 27, helped her sibling evade law enforcement, according to indictments against the pair.
Alen Zheng planted the explosive on March 10, and later called 911 about it, alleged US Attorney for the Central District of Florida Gregory Kehoe during a Thursday press conference.
The brother and older sister, both US citizens, sold the car Zheng used to bring the IED to the base and fled the country to China days later, said Kehoe.
Initial searches for the IED were unsuccessful after the 911 call, but it was later found in a secluded area on March 16 by an Air Force service member, prosecutors said.
Alen Zheng faces charges of attempted damage of government property by fire or explosion, unawlful making a destructive device and possession of an unregistered destructive device, according to an indictment.
He could face four decades in prison if convicted, but he hasn’t been apprehended after fleeing the country.
“We are exploring every avenue we can to get him back to the United States,” the US attorney said.
The MacDill base is the headquarters of Central Command (CENTCOM), which is leading Operations Epic Fury against Iran.
The base is also houses Special Operations Command — which oversees America’s top commando units.
Kehoe said a motive for the alleged IED planting is unknown.
Ann Mary Zheng was taken into custody after she returned to the US on March 17, Kehoe said.
“Why she came back is unknown,” he said.
She was charged with assisting after the fact and evidence tampering. She could face up to 30 years in prison if found guilty.
“She helped the defendant flee and destroy evidence,” Kehoe alleged.
