Vegas Biolab Probe Takes Turn as Judge Tosses Case Against Property Manager

A federal judge has dismissed a criminal complaint against a Las Vegas property manager connected to a January raid on a suspected illegal biolab in the city’s east valley.

U.S. District Judge Elayna Youchah on May 11 granted a government motion to dismiss the federal case against 55-year-old Ori Solomon, a dual citizen of Israel and France.

The brief one-page order was issued without prejudice, leaving open the possibility that prosecutors could refile the charge later.

Local media first reported news of the dismissal on May 26.

Federal investigators had accused Solomon—who also uses the spelling Salomon—of unlawfully handling hazardous waste after authorities searched a short-term rental property near Washington Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard on Jan. 31.

During the raid, agents with the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said they discovered laboratory equipment, refrigerators, vials, and hundreds of containers holding unidentified substances.

Investigators said many of the materials were found inside a locked garage attached to the residence.

Court filings identify Solomon as the property manager for the residence, which is owned by Jia Bei Zhu, 64, a Chinese businessman previously named in reports as the primary suspect in the alleged illegal biolab operation.

Authorities said the investigation began after a house cleaner contacted police about suspicious activity at the property.

More than 1,000 pieces of evidence were collected and submitted for testing following the search.

Although the federal complaint has been dropped, Solomon still faces a related hazardous waste charge in Clark County court.

The Las Vegas case has also drawn attention because of its alleged connection to Zhu, who also goes by Jesse Zhu and Qiang “David” He.

Zhu was convicted May 6 following a two-week federal trial in California.

Prosecutors said Zhu sold more than 1 million fraudulent COVID-19 tests through his Fresno-based company, Universal Meditech Inc., collecting nearly $4 million while misleading the Food and Drug Administration about his identity and involvement in the business.

Federal prosecutors charged Zhu with 12 counts tied to the scheme.

A jury found him guilty of wire fraud, distributing mislabeled medical devices, and making false statements to the FDA, according to the Department of Justice.

His business partner, Zhaoyan Wang, fled to China before Wang could be arrested and remains a fugitive, according to authorities.

Federal agencies said pathogens and toxins found at the Fresno facility were connected to the company’s failed COVID-19 test manufacturing effort and did not pose a danger to the public.

The operation first came under scrutiny in 2022 after a victim filed a civil lawsuit against Universal Meditech and inspected the company’s Fresno warehouse.

The inspection allegedly revealed unsanitary conditions, improperly stored biological materials, and no legitimate capability to manufacture COVID-19 tests.

Zhu is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 24 and could face decades in prison.

The motion seeking dismissal of Solomon’s federal charge was filed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Plummer.