FBI reveals 3 suspects in MacDill Air Force Base bomb threat case

TAMPA, Fla. (WINK)—What initially appeared to be a straightforward bomb threat case at MacDill Air Force Base has revealed a more complex investigation involving multiple suspects and international elements.

Matt Foder, special agent in charge of the FBI in Tampa, and U.S. Attorney Greg Kehoe outlined the facts at a press conference in Tampa. The investigation began on March 10 when an IED was left at MacDill, and a call was made to 911.

Investigators did not find anything that day but worked on identifying the caller and determined it was made by Alen Zheng, 20, of Land O'Lakes, Florida. The next day, Alen and his sister Ann Zheng sold their car and bought plane tickets to China, departing on March 12.

On March 16, the device was found on the base by an airman, and the base was put on lockdown. It was taken to the FBI lab in Alabama.

On March 17, Ann Zheng flew back to the U.S. and was taken into custody for destroying evidence and other charges. Authorities believe Alen is still in China, and he is charged with placing the bomb.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Elder, the arrest announced on Wednesday, was determined to have looked up the events online and made the threatening calls to the base, but he never planted a bomb. WINK News reported Elder's arrest on Wednesday.

"There's investigative purposes, yes, but clearly, to show that the device was viable," Foder said.

U.S. Attorney Kehoe emphasized the severity of the charges.

"Alan Zheng, he's charged with attempted damage of government property by explosive, making a destructive device, in possession of a destructive device; he faces 40 years," Kehoe said. "And Ann Zheng, his sister, is charged with being an accessory after the fact, tampering with evidence. She faces 30 years. And Mr. Elder is charged with making a threat of an explosive, and he faces 10 years."

The FBI made it clear there is still much investigation to be done. It turns out Zheng's mother was detained for overstaying her visa in Land O'Lakes.