Trending Now - Siblings Face Charges in Florida Base IED Conspiracy Linked to Iran

WHO:

U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe stated that the siblings are U.S. citizens and did not confirm if they hold any dual citizenship.

Alen Zheng is 20 years old and Ann Mary Zheng is 27 years old.

U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe detailed the case during a press conference.

Alen Zheng is 20 years old and resides in Land O’Lakes, Florida.

Gregory W. Kehoe is the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida.

Gregory W. Kehoe, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, detailed the case during a press conference.

Alen Zheng and Ann Mary Zheng are both U.S. citizens.

Alen Zheng, indicted for attempted damage of government property, unlawful making of a destructive device, and possession of an unregistered destructive device.

Ann Mary Zheng, indicted as an accessory after the fact and for tampering with evidence.

Kash Patel, FBI Director, who announced the indictments.

WHAT:

Alen Zheng faces a potential sentence of 40 years in prison if convicted, while Ann Mary Zheng faces 30 years.

The device found outside MacDill Air Force Base "could have potentially been very deadly," according to U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.

Ann Mary Zheng was arrested upon her return from China on March 17, 2026.

Alen Zheng faces a potential sentence of 40 years in prison if convicted, while Ann Mary Zheng faces 30 years.

The device found outside MacDill Air Force Base "could have potentially been very deadly," according to U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.

Alen Zheng and Ann Mary Zheng sold their Mercedes-Benz SUV and bought tickets to China, departing by March 12, 2026.

Alen Zheng is indicted on charges of attempted damage of government property by fire or explosion, unlawful making of a destructive device, and possession of an unregistered destructive device.

Ann Mary Zheng is indicted on charges of being an accessory after the fact and tampering with evidence by attempting to destroy, mutilate, and conceal a 2010 black Mercedes GLK 350.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated, "A brother and sister have now been indicted," in a post on X on March 26, 2026.

The FBI is investigating a video claiming responsibility for the possible explosive device left at MacDill Air Force Base.

The FBI announced that Alen Zheng is believed to have planted the IED and is currently in China.

Ann Mary Zheng was arrested by FBI Tampa and is charged with accessory after the fact and tampering with evidence.

Alen Zheng made a 911 call minutes after placing the explosive device on March 10, 2026, claiming there was a bomb at MacDill Air Force Base without providing a specific location.

Ann Mary Zheng traveled back to the U.S. on March 17, 2026, and was later arrested.

Ann Mary Zheng pleaded not guilty to the charges on March 26, 2026.

Alen Zheng is charged with three counts, including making an explosive device and attempted damage of government property.

Ann Mary Zheng is charged with tampering with evidence by attempting to destroy, mutilate, and conceal a 2010 black Mercedes GLK 350.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated, "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."

Kash Patel added, "No one who targets our brave service members and military facilities will ever get away with it – and this FBI will pursue all those responsible for the incident at MacDill Air Force Base to the ends of the earth."

Alen Zheng is charged 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 is charged with being an accessory after the fact and tampering with evidence.

A possible improvised explosive device (IED) was discovered outside the visitor's center at MacDill Air Force Base.

WHERE:

The suspicious package was reported at the main entrance of MacDill Air Force Base, located in Tampa, Florida.

MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, which houses the headquarters of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).

WHEN:

The suspicious package was discovered on March 16, 2026, and the device was planted on March 10, 2026.

The indictments were unsealed on March 26, 2026.

The suspicious package was discovered on March 16, 2026, but the device was planted on March 10, 2026.

The indictments were unsealed on March 26, 2026.

The suspicious package was reported on March 16, 2026, and the indictments were unsealed on March 26, 2026.

The 911 call was made on March 10, 2026, and the IED was discovered on March 16, 2026.

The suspicious package was reported on March 16, 2026.

The date March 10, 2026, is associated with the siblings' alleged conduct.

The indictments were unsealed on March 26, 2026.

WHY:

U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe stated that investigators do not have evidence that a foreign country is connected to the crime.

U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, Gregory W. Kehoe, stated that investigators do not have evidence that a foreign country is connected to the crime.

Investigators do not have evidence that a foreign country is connected to the crime.

MacDill Air Force Base is currently handling Operation Epic Fury against Iran.

The charges are related to the alleged placement of an explosive device at a military facility, which is part of ongoing security concerns regarding threats to U.S. military installations.

HOW:

Investigators traced the 911 call back to a phone purchased by Alen Zheng at Best Buy, and explosive material was found in his home, along with residue from the IED in the car he used to transport the device.

Investigators used phone data to connect the 911 call to Alen Zheng and identified the SUV on surveillance video.

Evidence, including residue matching the explosive, was found in the SUV after it was sold and cleaned.

Investigators traced the 911 call back to a phone purchased by Alen Zheng at Best Buy.

Explosive material was found in Alen Zheng's home, and residue from the IED was found in the car he used to transport the device.

Investigators traced the 911 call back to a phone purchased by Alen Zheng at Best Buy.

Explosive material was found in Alen Zheng's home, and residue from the IED was found in the car he used to transport the device.

The FBI is investigating a video claiming responsibility for the possible explosive device left at MacDill Air Force Base.

The FBI conducted an investigation that led to the identification and indictment of the siblings, with Alen Zheng currently believed to be in China.

(UPDATED March 27, 2026 11:13 UTC)

U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced that siblings Alen Zheng, who is 20, and Ann Mary Zheng, 27, are U.S. citizens facing serious charges related to a suspicious package found outside MacDill Air Force Base. The device, which could have been very deadly, was planted on March 10, and Ann Mary was arrested upon returning from China on March 17, with the indictments unsealed on March 26, revealing that Alen faces a potential 40-year sentence while Ann Mary could face 30 years if convicted. Investigators traced a 911 call back to a phone purchased by Alen and found explosive materials in his home, along with residue from the IED in the car he used to transport the device, although there is currently no evidence linking a foreign country to the crime.

(UPDATED March 27, 2026 05:32 UTC)

Alen Zheng, who is 20 years old, and Ann Mary Zheng, aged 27, are facing serious charges related to a suspicious package discovered outside MacDill Air Force Base on March 16, which authorities say could have been very deadly. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced that if convicted, Alen faces a potential sentence of 40 years in prison, while Ann could receive 30 years, as investigators linked them to the incident through phone data and surveillance video. The couple sold their Mercedes-Benz SUV and purchased tickets to China, departing by March 12, just days before the device was planted on March 10.

(UPDATED March 27, 2026 03:52 UTC)

Alen Zheng and his sister Ann Mary Zheng have been indicted on serious charges related to an attempted attack on government property, with Alen facing counts of attempted damage by fire or explosion and possession of an unregistered destructive device, while Ann is charged with being an accessory after the fact and tampering with evidence. The indictments were unsealed on March 26, 2026, following an FBI investigation into a video claiming responsibility for a possible explosive device left at MacDill Air Force Base, and FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the siblings' indictments in a post on X. Investigators traced a 911 call back to a phone purchased by Alen Zheng, and explosive materials were discovered in his home, along with residue from the improvised explosive device in the vehicle he used.

(UPDATED March 27, 2026 01:22 UTC)

The FBI has announced that Alen Zheng, a 20-year-old from Land O’Lakes, Florida, is believed to have planted an improvised explosive device and is currently in China. His mother, Ann Mary Zheng, has been arrested and charged with accessory after the fact and tampering with evidence following the discovery of a suspicious package reported on March 16, with the indictments unsealed on March 26. Investigators traced a 911 call back to a phone purchased by Alen Zheng and found explosive materials in his home, along with residue from the device in the car he used for transport, but they do not have evidence linking a foreign country to the crime.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 23:09 UTC)

U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, Gregory W. Kehoe, detailed a case involving Alen Zheng and Ann Mary Zheng, both U.S. citizens, during a press conference. Alen Zheng made a 911 call on March 10, 2026, claiming there was a bomb at MacDill Air Force Base, and he has since been charged with three counts, including making an explosive device, while Ann Mary Zheng, who returned to the U.S. on March 17, pleaded not guilty to the charges today. Investigators traced the 911 call to a phone purchased by Alen Zheng and found explosive material in his home, along with residue from the IED in the car he used to transport the device.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 21:08 UTC)

Ann Mary Zheng has been charged with tampering with evidence after attempting to destroy and conceal a 2010 black Mercedes GLK 350, linked to a suspicious package reported at the main entrance of MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that the indictments stem from extensive investigative efforts and collaboration among various law enforcement agencies, asserting that those who target military facilities will face serious consequences. The FBI is currently examining a video that claims responsibility for a possible explosive device associated with MacDill, which is actively involved in Operation Epic Fury against Iran.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 19:24 UTC)

Alen Zheng has been indicted for attempted damage of government property, unlawful making of a destructive device, and possession of an unregistered destructive device, while his sister, Ann Mary Zheng, faces charges as an accessory after the fact and for tampering with evidence. These charges stem from the alleged placement of a possible improvised explosive device outside the visitor's center at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, which houses key military commands, and the suspicious package was reported on March 16. The indictments were unsealed on March 26, following an FBI investigation that identified the siblings, with Alen currently believed to be in China.