The property manager of the Las Vegas home that was connected to the secret Reedley biolab is no longer being charged by federal prosecutors.
The government dropped its case against property manager Ori Solomon, filing a motion to dismiss the complaint earlier this month.
The backstory: In February, the FBI raided a Las Vegas home tied to the Reedley lab and lab operator Jia Bei Zhu. Officials found biological materials in the garage of the home.
- Las Vegas Metro Police reported at the time that two people fell deathly ill several days after entering the garage of the home and that they could not get out of bed. Some people who lived in the house reportedly also became ill.
- Police arrested Solomon for being the property manager of the house – which was an Airbnb property – where the biological materials were found.
- He had been charged in federal court with illegal possession of a firearm, since his immigration status allegedly barred him from owning a gun. Solomon is an Israeli national in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa.
The big picture: Federal prosecutors wrote the following statement in their motion to dismiss on May 11: “After a careful review of the evidence and additional information provided by defendant, the Government has concluded that the interests of justice require dismissal of the complaint at this time.”
- Prosecutors did not provide any other information as to why they dropped the charges against Solomon.
What we’re watching: Solomon still faces criminal charges in Clark County for the improper disposal of hazardous waste.
- His next court case in Las Vegas Justice Court is scheduled for June 4.
Zoom out: A federal jury found Zhu guilty of all charges earlier this month.
- Zhu fraudulently sold COVID-19 test kits and lied to federal officials regarding the secret Reedley lab.
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