Illustration of a U.S. Federal Courtroom (AI-Generated)
[People News] According to the latest announcement from the U.S. Department of Justice, a pair of Chinese siblings from Florida have shockingly placed an explosive device outside the entrance of MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, which acts as the 'nerve centre' for U.S. military operations in the Middle East.
The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are currently involved in the investigation.
The FBI reported that 20-year-old Alen Zheng and 27-year-old Ann Mary Zheng were charged in their respective federal indictments on Wednesday (March 25). The sister has been detained, while the brother, who is believed to have placed the explosive device, has fled to China.
Federal indictment documents indicate that Zheng Alen and Zheng Anni are accused of planning and manufacturing an improvised explosive device (IED) between March 10 and 12, and attempting to place it near the visitor center of MacDill Air Force Base.
On March 16, after authorities discovered a suspicious explosive device outside the base entrance, they quickly activated emergency protocols. The Tampa police promptly blocked the main entrance area of Dale Mabry Highway, deploying a significant number of officers and bomb disposal teams to the scene.
Two days later, on March 18, the base received another threat, leading to the issuance of a 'shelter in place' order. The military and police collaborated to block traffic routes and enforce strict controls in the surrounding area, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
Earlier this week, another man was arrested for making threatening phone calls to MacDill Air Force Base. Law enforcement officials stressed that there is currently no evidence linking this individual to the Zheng siblings or any explosive devices. However, the series of incidents occurring in quick succession has intensified the overall security situation.
According to The Dajiyuan, MacDill Air Force Base hosts the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the U.S. Special Operations Command. CENTCOM is responsible for U.S. military operations in parts of the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia, while the Special Operations Command oversees all special operations forces under the Department of Defence.
Federal Prosecutor Gregory Kehoe stated at a press conference on Thursday (March 26) that, "Today we submitted three indictments. Allen Zheng is charged with attempting to damage government property with explosives, as well as manufacturing and possessing destructive devices, which could result in a maximum sentence of 40 years. His sister, Ann Marie Zheng, is charged as an accessory after the fact and for tampering with evidence, facing a potential 30-year sentence."
In addition to the Zheng siblings, Prosecutor Kehoe also introduced a third defendant—Mr. Elder, who made the emergency call. He is charged with making explosive threats and could face a 10-year sentence.
On March 16, the FBI's Tampa office announced the discovery of a suspicious package outside the MacDill Visitor Centre, which led to an FBI investigation. During the press conference, Kehoe detailed the actions and arrests of the three suspects:
On the evening of March 10, Allen set up an improvised explosive device (IED), a term frequently referenced in reports of bomb attacks in the Middle East. He placed the device outside the visitor centre of the air force base, but did not detonate it. However, just a few minutes after setting it up, someone called 911 to report a bomb at the air force base without providing a specific location. The military conducted a search at that time but found nothing. It wasn't until March 16 that base security personnel discovered the device in a remote area.
On March 12, Allen and his sister fled to China. The day before their departure, they purchased plane tickets and sold a Mercedes that had been used to transport the bomb. On March 17, his sister Mary returned to the United States, while Allen remained in China. On March 18, the FBI obtained a search warrant to investigate the Zheng family home and found IED components that matched those used at the air force base. Zheng's mother and the two arrested defendants confirmed that Allen had told them he had placed a bomb at the air force base.
Despite being an improvised explosive device, it is unlikely that ordinary individuals would take the initiative to learn how to assemble a bomb. Some public opinion suggests that the criminals may have been recruited and utilized by the Chinese Communist Party, becoming the executors of this bombing disruption operation.
It is currently unclear whether the two have defence attorneys.
Kihou stated, 'The investigation is still ongoing, and we are pursuing any possible leads to ensure that all individuals involved are brought to justice.'
Since the onset of the Iran war, McDill has been one of the U.S. bases on high alert. The Central Command is currently overseeing Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced in a post on the social media platform X on Thursday, 'The FBI will collaborate closely with our partners to relentlessly pursue all individuals involved, ensuring that no matter where they flee, they will be held accountable.'
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