Michigan State University police have arrested a 31-year-old man following the discovery of an alleged methamphetamine lab inside Wells Hall. The suspect, identified as Xin Tong, faces felony charges related to the operation of the lab and significant property damage.
Criminal Charges and Legal Status
Tong has been charged with felony controlled substance-operate/maintain lab involving methamphetamine and felony malicious destruction of a building over $20,000. He was arraigned on Wednesday and is currently being held at the Ingham County Jail.
The suspect is being held on a $500,000 cash or surety bond. According to Ingham County Jail Records, the Department of Homeland Security has placed a hold on that bond.
MSU Police Chief Mike Yankowski stated that the hold is not part of the police investigation. Yankowski noted that the department’s focus remains on the criminal investigation rather than the immigration status of individuals.
Timeline of the Investigation
The incident began during the past week when campus police responded to reports of property damage in Wells Hall, which they determined was “directly related to alleged criminal activity.”
On Sunday night, officers made contact with Tong on the fifth floor of the building after being dispatched for a trespassing complaint. At that time, Tong was found in possession of several bags containing substances that can be legally purchased online or in retail stores.
These materials included acetone, butane, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide pellets. A search warrant executed Monday morning revealed additional labeled and unlabeled containers containing an unknown liquid substance.
Campus Impact and Safety Measures
Due to the uncertainty regarding the liquid substances found during the search, police requested additional public safety resources. This led to the decision to shut down Wells Hall on Monday to conduct a full search and assessment.
While officials initially suggested a Tuesday reopening, the building will now remain closed through Friday, May 1. This extension allows the Department of Police and Public Safety (DPPS) to gather evidence and enables the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to clean and assess damage to fixtures, flooring, and other surfaces.
Chief Yankowski confirmed that the cost to repair the facilities is a “significant amount, well above $20,000.” But, he assured the community via email that tests performed by EHS confirmed the environment in Wells Hall “does not pose a risk to our community.”
Potential Next Steps
As the legal process unfolds, Tong may face further court proceedings regarding his felony charges. The university is likely to continue working with Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) to remediate the impacted spaces before students return.
Depending on the results of the ongoing criminal investigation, more details regarding the nature of the “unknown liquid substances” could be released to the public.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the suspect in the Wells Hall incident?
The suspect is 31-year-old Xin Tong, who is currently being held at the Ingham County Jail.
Is the suspect a student or faculty member?
Police Chief Mike Yankowski stated he could not comment on Tong’s status as a student or faculty member due to student privacy laws.
When will Wells Hall reopen?
The building is scheduled to remain closed through Friday, May 1, to ensure it is safe for occupancy and to allow for evidence collection and cleaning.
How should universities balance student privacy laws with the public’s require for information during criminal investigations on campus?
