EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN — A 31-year-old man identified as Xin Tong has been arraigned on felony charges after authorities say he was operating a methamphetamine lab inside Wells Hall at Michigan State University — leading to the building’s closure starting April 27, a multi-agency law enforcement response involving the FBI, Michigan State Police, and East Lansing Fire Department, and a $500,000 cash or surety bond set at arraignment.
Officers Make Contact With Suspect Inside Wells Hall on April 26
Officers from the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety made contact with Xin Tong inside Wells Hall on Sunday, April 26, following reports of property damage linked to alleged criminal activity within the building. Upon making contact with the suspect, police discovered he was in possession of several chemicals consistent with methamphetamine production — including sodium hydroxide pellets, hydrochloric acid, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, and butane.
The presence of these specific chemicals inside a university academic building prompted an immediate multi-agency response and triggered the subsequent closure of Wells Hall beginning April 27 as safety assessments of the facility got underway.
Felony Charges Filed — Malicious Destruction and Meth Lab Operation
The case was submitted to the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office, which issued felony charges against Tong on two counts — malicious destruction of a building valued over $20,000, and operating or maintaining a lab involving methamphetamine.
Tong was arraigned on April 29 just before 5 p.m. and is currently being held at the Ingham County Jail on a $500,000 cash or surety bond. The severity of the bond reflects the serious nature of the felony charges and the potential danger the alleged meth lab operation posed to students, faculty, and staff inside one of MSU’s academic buildings.
Wells Hall Closed Through Friday May 1 for Safety Assessment
Wells Hall — a major academic building on the Michigan State University campus — remains closed following the discovery of the alleged meth lab operation. Officials confirmed the building is expected to remain closed through Friday, May 1, as authorities continue to assess the structure for chemical contamination and safety concerns related to the materials discovered inside.
The MSU Department of Police and Public Safety noted that due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, officials are limited in the amount of information they can publicly release at this time. Updates will be shared as the investigation continues.
Multiple Agencies Responded to the Incident
The scope and potential danger of the situation prompted a significant multi-agency response to Wells Hall. Authorities confirmed that the East Lansing Fire Department, Michigan State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and MSU Environmental Health and Safety all assisted in the response to the alleged meth lab discovery — underscoring the seriousness with which law enforcement treated the situation inside the university building.
The involvement of the FBI alongside state and local agencies suggests the investigation may extend beyond the immediate circumstances of Tong’s presence inside Wells Hall. Stay with GordonRamsayClub.com for the latest updates.
Leave a Reply