Man charged after chemicals used to make meth found at Michigan State University
A 31-year-old man has been charged after police found him inside a Michigan State University building with chemicals and equipment that could be used to make methamphetamine, according to officials. Wells Hall, the largest academic building on campus, has been closed while officials evaluate the damage and safety of the building.
MSU police said officers made contact with Xin Tong inside Wells Hall on Sunday after responding to reports of property damage in the building. The university said the damage was directly related to alleged criminal activity.
Tong was discovered inside Wells Hall at about 9:30 p.m. after police responded to a call about a suspicious person, odor and substances on the floor. He was carrying multiple bags and was initially charged with misdemeanor trespassing before felony charges were filed.
Tong was found in possession of several chemicals, including sodium hydroxide pellets, hydrochloric acid, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone and butane, according to the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety. Police later clarified that officers did not find a methamphetamine laboratory inside Wells Hall, but said the chemicals and equipment were found in Tong’s personal property.
The Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office issued felony charges for malicious destruction of a building over $20,000 and operating or maintaining a laboratory involving methamphetamine.
The malicious destruction charge is based on allegations that Tong intentionally damaged or destroyed property inside Wells Hall between April 10 and April 26.
Prosecutors said during an arraignment hearing that Tong appeared to have been frequenting the building for weeks, according to the Lansing State Journal.
Ingham County Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Nicole Matusko said that Tong is not a current MSU student and has not been enrolled since 2022. He was in possession of an expired student identification card but had no apparent current affiliation with the university, the Lansing State Journal reported.
Wells Hall will remain closed through Friday as officials evaluate whether the building is safe for occupancy, university police said.
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