Ori Solomon is the Las Vegas property manager arrested on February 1, 2026, after federal and local investigators raided a Sugar Springs Drive home he managed and found what they described as a suspected illegal biological laboratory. In the Ori Solomon Las Vegas biolab case, he faced a federal firearms charge and a Nevada hazardous waste charge. The federal charge was dismissed without prejudice in May 2026. The state charge is still pending.
What Investigators Found at the House He Managed
On January 31, 2026, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI executed search warrants at a home on Sugar Springs Drive in northeast Las Vegas that also operated as a short-term rental.1LVMPD. LVMPD Press Release In a locked garage, investigators found multiple refrigerators and a freezer holding vials of unknown liquids, gallon containers of unidentified substances, a centrifuge, and biosafety equipment.2ABC News. Property Manager Arrested in Connection to Las Vegas Bio Lab A robot cleared the house before officers went in, and hazmat teams removed materials from the site.3CBS News. Las Vegas Bio Lab Reedley California Pathogens
Over the following days, more than 1,000 pieces of evidence were sent to the FBI’s National Bioforensic Analysis Center in Maryland.4LVMPD. LVMPD Press Release – Evidence Collection Many liquid samples had degraded from being stored at room temperature and could not be tested. Of what was analyzed, the FBI identified vaccine compounds for Influenza A and Influenza B, chemicals and membranes consistent with COVID-19 and pregnancy test kit production, and human biological samples.58 News Now. Federal Charge Filed Against Las Vegas Bio Lab Suspect Dismissed The FBI ended up characterizing the garage as a “bio-storage facility” holding remnants that appeared to have been stored for years.
Who Solomon Is and Why He Was Charged
Solomon, 55, is an Israeli citizen in the United States on a non-immigrant temporary work visa. He also holds a French passport. Both passports were seized by police after his arrest.68 News Now. Nevada Judge Releases Property Manager Tied to Las Vegas Bio Lab He reportedly manages roughly 37 short-term rental properties in the Las Vegas area. Police described him as a main “agent and conspirator” in the biolab matter and said he had been in communication with the property owner, receiving 467 calls from him in the period leading up to the raid.7OKC Fox. Answering Some of the Biggest Questions Still Looming From Possible Biolab Home
He was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on February 1, 2026, and faced two separate proceedings:4LVMPD. LVMPD Press Release – Evidence Collection
- A federal charge of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. His non-immigrant visa status barred him from possessing firearms, and multiple firearms were found at his residence during the January 31 search.8KTNV. Federal Charges for Property Manager Connected to Las Vegas Illegal Biolab Dropped
- A Nevada state charge in Las Vegas Justice Court for disposing of or discharging hazardous waste in an unauthorized manner.9Las Vegas Review-Journal. Las Vegas Federal Case Dismissed for Man Arrested in Biolab Probe
A federal judge released Solomon on a personal recognizance bond. His conditions included surrendering his passports and staying within the continental United States.68 News Now. Nevada Judge Releases Property Manager Tied to Las Vegas Bio Lab
How the Federal Gun Charge Was Dismissed
On May 11, 2026, federal prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss the firearms complaint against Solomon. U.S. Magistrate Judge Elayna Youchah granted the motion. The government’s filing gave little explanation, saying only that “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.” A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Nevada declined to comment further.10News3LV. Feds Drop Case Against Man Arrested in Las Vegas Biolab Investigation
The dismissal was without prejudice. That means prosecutors can refile the same charge later if they choose.11Fox 5 Vegas. Federal Gun Complaint Dropped Against Man Tied to Las Vegas Bio Lab Case
Where the State Hazardous Waste Case Stands
Solomon’s state charge for unauthorized disposal or discharge of hazardous waste is still active in Las Vegas Justice Court. At a June 2026 hearing, state prosecutors asked for additional time to file formal charges. As of mid-2026, no formal criminal complaint had been filed at the state level, and no trial date had been set.9Las Vegas Review-Journal. Las Vegas Federal Case Dismissed for Man Arrested in Biolab Probe
Why Solomon Was Tied to the Reedley, California Case
Investigators treated Solomon as more than an unwitting property manager because of who owned the Sugar Springs Drive home. The property is owned by Jia Bei Zhu, a Chinese national who also uses the aliases David He and Jesse Zhu.8KTNV. Federal Charges for Property Manager Connected to Las Vegas Illegal Biolab Dropped Zhu had already been in federal custody since 2023 in connection with an unauthorized laboratory found in a warehouse in Reedley, California, where investigators recovered thousands of vials, roughly 1,000 transgenic mice, and hazardous chemicals.12House Select Committee on the CCP. Reedley Biolab Investigation Report
On May 6, 2026, a federal jury in the Eastern District of California found Zhu guilty on all 12 counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, distributing adulterated and misbranded medical devices, and making a false statement to the FDA. His sentencing is scheduled for August 24, 2026.13Department of Justice. Guilty Verdict for California Biolab Operator Police pointed to the 467 calls between Zhu and Solomon in the run-up to the Las Vegas raid as one reason they viewed Solomon as a participant rather than a bystander.7OKC Fox. Answering Some of the Biggest Questions Still Looming From Possible Biolab Home