Ori Solomon, the property manager of a Las Vegas home under investigation for hosting a possible illegal biological laboratory, was arrested over the weekend and now faces a federal charge for possessing firearms while on a temporary work visa. Law enforcement said they uncovered a cache of guns at his residence, which Solomon was not legally allowed to have due to his immigration status, according to a federal complaint.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI began investigating after a tipster reported suspicious activities at the east Las Vegas home, which was being used as a short-term rental. Employees cleaning the house described feeling “deathly ill” after entering the garage, where they noticed beakers containing reddish liquids and refrigerators with vials of unknown substances. Multiple people who had stayed at or visited the house reported serious illness, including respiratory issues and extreme fatigue.
During a search of Solomon’s home, authorities found six firearms—four handguns and two rifles—along with ammunition and accessories. The initial search warrant did not cover firearms, but after Solomon, while in jail, asked his daughter about the location of the guns, investigators secured a second warrant and seized the weapons on Monday.
Solomon, who also goes by “Salomon” and has both French and Israeli passports, is in the United States under an E-2 non-immigrant visa, which prohibits him from possessing firearms, according to federal officials. He appeared in federal court Tuesday (February 3), facing the firearm possession charge and a felony charge of improperly disposing of hazardous waste in Nevada.
Investigators took about 1,000 samples from the property for testing at the Southern Nevada Health District laboratory and the National Bioforensic Analysis Center in Maryland. Authorities have stated that there are currently no safety concerns for nearby residents, but testing continues to determine the nature of the substances found, as noted by WHIO.
The home is owned by a company linked to Chinese citizens already facing federal charges in California for operating an unlicensed lab. Solomon is believed to have close ties to these individuals and is alleged to have managed the property on their behalf.
Solomon remains in federal custody as the investigation continues. A hearing on his detention is scheduled in the coming days, and authorities are expected to provide updates as testing results become available.
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