Alen Zheng, a 20-year-old resident of Land O’Lakes, has been indicted on charges related to an attempted bombing at the MacDill Air Force Base Visitor’s Center in Tampa, according to a March 26 announcement by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
The case is significant due to its implications for public safety and security at military installations. Authorities say Zheng faces charges including attempted damage of government property by fire or explosion, unlawful making of a destructive device, and possession of an unregistered destructive device. If convicted, he could receive a minimum sentence of five years and up to forty years in federal prison.
According to court statements and the indictment, Zheng allegedly tried to detonate an improvised explosive device outside the visitor’s center on March 10. Law enforcement officials discovered the device after the unsuccessful attempt and safely disassembled it. They later confirmed that it was indeed an improvised explosive device.
Officials stress that an indictment is only a formal charge and does not constitute evidence of guilt. “Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty,” said Kehoe.
The investigation was conducted by the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren Stoia and David P. Sullivan will prosecute the case moving forward.
