A brother-sister duo has been formally charged for allegedly placing an explosive device at a US military base housing US Central Command (CENTCOM) and Special Operations Command, the FBI confirmed on Thursday.“An explosive device has been placed at MacDill Air Force Base – the headquarters of US Central Command and US Special Operations Command. A brother and sister have now been charged. One is being held on charges of tampering with evidence and the prime suspect is charged with explosives crimes and is currently in China,” FBI Director Kash Patel said, while sharing a Fox News article about the incident on Channel X.He added: “The FBI, in cooperation with our partners, will continue to pursue all those responsible and ensure that they are brought to justice, regardless of their whereabouts.”
Allen Cheng, suspected of planting the device at the Florida base, is currently in China facing multiple charges, including attempting to destroy government property using fire or explosives, as well as manufacturing and possessing an unregistered destruction device, according to the FBI.The authorities also arrested his sister, Anne Marie Cheng. She was charged with being an accessory after the fact and tampering with evidence.
“Today’s indictments are the result of tremendous investigative work by our FBI teams and significant coordination from our state, local and federal partners across the board,” Kash Patel said in a statement to Fox News Digital.He added: “No one who targets our brave service members and military installations will ever go unpunished, and the FBI will pursue all those responsible for the incident at MacDill Air Force Base to the ends of the earth.”This comes as the FBI’s Tampa Field Office, on March 16, reported the discovery of a suspicious package outside the Visitor Center at MacDill Air Force Base.This installation serves as the headquarters for US Central Command, which oversees Operation Epic Fury against Iran. It is also home to the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), which is responsible for coordinating special operations forces across the Department of Defense.
