A Housecleaner’s Chilling Discovery (Image Credits: Pixabay)
Las Vegas – Court documents reveal that several individuals fell seriously ill after exposure to materials in a residential garage turned alleged biological laboratory.
A Housecleaner’s Chilling Discovery
The investigation began when a former cleaning employee, identified only as “Kelly,” contacted authorities in early January. She had worked at the northeast Las Vegas property managed by Ori Solomon, where rooms were rented out through platforms like Airbnb. Kelly described entering the usually locked garage in April 2025 and encountering refrigerators, freezers, glass beakers filled with reddish liquid, a biological safety cabinet, and a centrifuge.[1]
The air carried a foul, stagnant odor reminiscent of a unclean hospital. Soon after, Kelly and a handyman experienced severe symptoms: breathing difficulties, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, and days confined to bed. Solomon’s wife reportedly suffered similar effects after entering the space. Kelly noted that numerous residents had fallen ill, including one woman hospitalized for grave respiratory problems. Dead crickets littered the master bedroom, an oddity she had never seen in her years living in the city.[1]
Raid Uncovers Hazardous Materials
On January 31, teams from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, FBI, hazmat units, and SWAT executed a search warrant at the home. They discovered multiple refrigerators stocked with vials of unidentified liquids in various colors, gallon containers of unknown substances, lab equipment including a centrifuge, and unsecured bottles of hydrochloric acid.[1][2]
More than 1,000 samples were collected and shipped to an FBI laboratory on the East Coast for analysis. Authorities described the site as highly complex, with materials requiring meticulous handling. The hydrochloric acid posed immediate risks, capable of causing permanent injury through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion. Its improper storage endangered short-term renters and an elderly occupant nearby. Three tenants were safely evacuated and cleared of involvement.[2]
Ties to Prior Bio Lab Scandal
The Las Vegas setup echoed a 2023 case in Reedley, California, where an illegal bio lab operated in a warehouse. That facility held samples labeled for pathogens like HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, COVID-19, and Ebola, funded partly by Chinese banks. Its owner, a Chinese national still in federal custody after pleading not guilty, maintained over 460 phone calls with Solomon in the past year alone.[1]
Investigators believe Solomon managed business for the Reedley operator, funneling funds to his wife and partner, who faces charges in China. The refrigerators matched those from the California site. Kelly warned that Solomon could relocate the lab equipment swiftly if alerted.[1]
Charges and Lingering Questions
Solomon, 55, faces state felony charges for unauthorized hazardous waste disposal and federal accusations of visa violations involving firearms. He remains in custody. Sheriff Kevin McMahill emphasized the operation’s intricacy during a briefing, while FBI Special Agent Chris Delzotto stressed a deliberate testing process.[2]
Test results remain pending, leaving uncertainties about the substances’ nature. The case originated from a code violation but escalated under the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Public concern grows over potential health risks in a rental property setting.
Key Takeaways
- Former cleaner and others reported severe symptoms post-garage exposure.
- Over 1,000 samples from vials and containers sent for FBI testing.
- Property linked to Reedley, California bio lab via communications and equipment.
This unfolding probe highlights vulnerabilities in residential areas doubling as labs. As testing continues, residents await confirmation on any biohazards. What risks do unregulated operations pose in your community? Share your thoughts in the comments.
