Brother, sister indicted in alleged IED plot at MacDill Air Force Base: FBI

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A brother and a sister have been indicted in an alleged IED plot at MacDill Air Force Base, the FBI said Thursday.

The brother, Alen Zheng, who is believed to have planted the device, is currently in China, according to the FBI, Fox News reported. He has been 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.

FBI Tampa arrested his sister, Ann Mary Zheng, who is charged with accessory after the fact and tampering with evidence.

“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,” FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News.

“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,” he added.

The indictments were unsealed on Thursday, and there is expected to be a press conference. The announcement follows FBI Tampa disclosing on March 16 that a suspicious package had been discovered outside the MacDill Air Force Base visitor center.

The base houses the headquarters of U.S. Central Command, which is currently handling the U.S. war with Iran.