IED at key US military base housing Centcom HQ: Brother-sister duo charged; one in custody, other in China

A brother-sister duo were formally charged for allegedly placing an IED at a US military base which is home to United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and Special Operations Command, as confirmed by the FBI on Thursday.“An IED was placed at MacDill Air Force Base – home to CENTCOM and US Special Operations Command. A brother and sister have now been indicted. One is in custody for accessory and evidence tampering and the primary suspect is charged with explosives offenses and is currently in China,” said FBI director Kash Patel, while sharing a Fox News Article about the incident on X.“This FBI, working with our partners, will continue pursuing all those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice, no matter where they are,” he further added.Alen Zheng, suspected of planting the device on the Florida base, is currently in China and faces multiple charges, including attempted destruction of government property using fire or explosives, as well as making and possessing an unregistered destructive device, according to FBI.Authorities have also arrested his sister, Ann Mary Zheng. She has been charged with being an accessory after the fact and with evidence tampering.“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,” said Kash Patel said in a statement to Fox News Digital.“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.This comes asFBI’s Tampa field office, on March 16, reported the discovery of a suspicious package outside the visitor center at MacDill Air Force Base.The installation serves as the headquarters of CENTCOM, which is overseeing Operation Epic Fury against Iran. It is also home to US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), responsible for coordinating special operations forces across the Department of Defense.