A house cleaner says she became “deathly ill” after entering a garage biolab in a northeast Las Vegas home where investigators discovered hazardous chemicals including hydrochloric acid, leading to the arrest of the property manager and ongoing federal investigation.
According to the arrest report, investigators discovered multiple hazardous chemicals, including hydrochloric acid, which can cause substantial permanent injuries or death in its pure form. The alarm was raised by a house cleaner for the suspect, Ori Solomon, who is identified in the report under the pseudonym “Kelly.” She claims she and others became “deathly ill” after entering the garage at the Sugar Springs home.
Solomon, 55, was arrested and initially charged with discharging and disposing of hazardous waste. Metro reports that Solomon manages two properties in the neighborhood, both of which were raided by SWAT early Saturday morning. Dr. Brian Labus, an infectious disease epidemiologist, said, “I think it’s fair to say that it’s not a good idea to operate a lab in a house in a residential area.” He noted the lab poses more risk to those working inside the garage than to neighbors, though some residents are taking precautions.
Imelda Munos lives on Temple View Drive and was home when SWAT teams raided the home next to her. “Down there, my neighbor, he closed all the windows because they are afraid,” Munos said. She observed people frequently moving in and out of the property and saw boxes being moved constantly. In the arrest report, Kelly noted the Temple View garage contained approximately five full boxes of drug tests.
Hazardous chemicals found in the Sugar Springs garage led to an investigation that blocked the road for residents. Joan Sandon, 94, said, “Couldn’t get in, everything was blocked.” She spent the night at a casino before returning. Despite concerns, Metro and the FBI have assured the public that the scene is now safe and contained, with no threat to neighbors.
The owner of the two homes, David He, is currently in federal prison in connection with a similar biolab in Reedley, California, where the CDC found 20 potentially infectious agents. The FBI has taken samples from the Las Vegas residence, and testing is underway.
