National Security News Update

Offices of the United States Attorneys

You are subscribed to National Security news updates. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Hoboken, New Jersey Man Charged with Possession and Making of Molotov Cocktails 03/27/2026 08:00 AM EDT A Hoboken, New Jersey man was charged with unlawful possession and making of destructive devices. Man Pleads Guilty to Participating in Online Neo-Nazi Group that Exploited Children into Producing Child Sexual Abuse Material 03/26/2026 08:00 AM EDT A Texas man and convicted rapist pleaded guilty to leading a child exploitation enterprise connected to an internet-based extremist group that entices and targets children into producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and images of self-harm. Kaleb Christopher Merritt, 26, also known as "eTerror," of Spring, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in a child exploitation enterprise. Merritt is in federal custody in Los Angeles but also is serving a 33-year prison sentence in Virginia. St. Petersburg Man Who Called in Threat to MacDill Air Force Base Charged 03/26/2026 08:00 AM EDT Tampa, Florida – Jonathan James Elder (35, St. Petersburg) has been arrested and charged by criminal complaint with using the telephone to make a threat to kill, injure, intimidate, or damage a building. If convicted, Elder faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. Land O'Lakes Woman Charged with Assisting After the Fact and Evidence Tampering Related to an Attempt to Detonate an Improvised Explosive Device at MacDill Air Force Base 03/26/2026 08:00 AM EDT Tampa, Florida – Ann Mary Zheng (27, Land O'Lakes) has been charged by indictment with assisting after the fact related to her brother, Alen Zheng, placing an improvised explosive device at the MacDill Air Force Base Visitor's Center in Tampa and evidence tampering. If convicted on all counts, Ann Mary Zheng faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Ann Mary Zheng that the United States is seeking an order of forfeiture in the amount of $5,000, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. Land O'Lakes Man Charged for Attempting to Detonate an Improvised Explosive Device at MacDill Air Force Base 03/26/2026 08:00 AM EDT Tampa, Florida – Alen Zheng (20, Land O'Lakes) has been charged by indictment with attempted damage of government property by fire or explosion, unlawful making of a destructive device, and possession of an unregistered destructive device. If convicted, Zheng faces a minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.  Jury Convicts Tampa Resident for Sending Instagram Death Threat 03/26/2026 08:00 AM EDT Tampa, Florida – A federal jury has found Elizabeth Danielle Rowe (25, Tampa), a/k/a Simon Roe, guilty of transmitting interstate a threat to injure. Rowe faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 24, 2026. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

---

You have received this e-mail because you have asked to be notified of changes to the Offices of the United States Attorneys website. GovDelivery is providing this service on behalf of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW · Washington, DC 20530 · 202-514-2000 and may not use your subscription information for any other purposes.

Manage your Subscriptions | Department of Justice Privacy Policy  | GovDelivery Privacy Policy

Follow the Offices of the United States Attorneys on Twitter: @USAttorneys