Federal prosecutors have dismissed a case against a man arrested in connection with what authorities have described as an illegal biolab.
In federal court, Ori Solomon faced a count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
Federal prosecutors asked for the charge to be dismissed May 11. U.S. Magistrate Judge Elayna Youchah granted the request.
Authorities have identified Solomon as the property manager for the house that law enforcement entities investigated early this year in the east Las Vegas Valley and that is connected to Chinese citizens who faced their own federal case in California.
Jia Bei Zhu was found guilty in May of wire fraud and distributing misbranded COVID-19 testing kits.
Prosecutors’ motion to dismiss was vague on why they had decided to drop the case against Solomon.
“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,” wrote Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Plummer.
A spokesperson for the Nevada U.S. attorney’s office declined to comment.
Police previously said Solomon was a main “agent and conspirator.”
Defense attorney Charles Goodwin, who has maintained his client’s innocence, did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.
In Las Vegas Justice Court, Solomon still faces a charge of disposing of or discharging hazardous waste in an unauthorized manner. At a June hearing, records show that state prosecutors requested additional time to file formal charges.
The FBI has said that the Las Vegas Valley home contained materials used in the development of diagnostic test kits and flu vaccines.
Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com.
