Feds charge three accused in connection with unrelated bomb threat, IED found at air base

Federal prosecutors charged a 20-year-old with planting an improvised explosive device, or IED, at Tampa’s MacDill Air Force Base, according to a Thursday statement from the Department of Justice. FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the base’s importance, noting it houses U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command.

Alen Zheng planted the explosive device outside the base’s visitor center on March 10, then called the base to report the bomb, U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe told reporters on Thursday. The bomb never detonated and wasn’t located until nearly a week later, on March 16, Kehoe said.

What took them so long to find the bomb? Officials focused on searching and securing the base’s sensitive assets first, and the visitor center is not one of the base’s most critical areas, Kehoe said. Kehoe refused to describe the IED’s components in detail, but confirmed that it would have caused significant damage had it detonated.

Alen and his older sister, 27-year-old Ann Mary, attempted to destroy evidence the day after the bombing by selling the vehicle used in the crime before fleeing to China on March 12, Kehoe said. Ann Mary returned to the United States days later and was arrested on charges of assisting Alen after the fact. Kehoe confirmed that Alen was still in China and could not give details about his location. Alen may receive up to 40 years in federal prison, with Ann Mary facing up to 30 years in federal prison, and possibly a $5,000 fine, according to the DOJ.

If they fled to China, how were they identified for charges? Agents identified the number Alen used to call in the bomb threat and were able to trace the number back to a Best Buy, where the phone was purchased. Investigators pulled security footage from the store showing Alen purchasing the phone and were ultimately able to identify his car in the parking lot, Kehoe said. Officials then searched Alen’s residence and vehicle and found materials and residue matching the IED found on the base.

Were they working as agents of China? Investigators found no evidence of the Zhengs working as agents of another country, Kehoe said. Both Alen and Ann Mary are American citizens, and it remains unclear whether they hold dual Chinese citizenship, he added.

Investigations also spoke with Alen’s mother, who allegedly admitted that her son had informed her of the bomb plot. It remains unclear if the mother will be charged, but she’s now in custody awaiting deportation for overstaying her time in the country as a non-citizen, Kehoe said. Kehoe did not identify the mother’s native country.

Wasn’t a second bomb threat called in? Kehoe clarified that the bomb threat called into the base on March 18 was unrelated to the IED located two days before. Kehoe read a transcript of the threatening call allegedly placed by Jonathan Elder, referencing alleged pipe bombs at the base’s front gates, along with physical threats of violence and obscenities.

Investigators identified Elder as the caller, who has struggled with emotional and mental issues, Kehoe said. Officials located the 35-year-old living at a care facility and arrested him on federal charges of using a phone to kill, injure, intimidate, or damage a building. These two investigations are separate, with Elder’s bomb threat being completely unrelated to the IED plot, Kehoe said.