Four individuals involved in an explosives and firearms-making investigation in London, Ont., now face 19 additional charges, according to court documents submitted on Tuesday.
Jerry Tong, Zekun (Alex) Wang, Fei (Frank) Han, and Feiyang (Astrid) Ji were initially charged in January. All four were students or recent graduates from Western University, with the three men having attended the engineering department.
The updated list of charges filed with the Ontario Court of Justice brings the total number of counts to 31. Some charges are grouped together for all four, while others target specific individuals.
The latest charges include possession of five particular explosive materials, possession of stolen property, and unauthorized access to computer data related to firearm manufacturing.
This extensive investigation began on January 24 when police responded to a trespassing report at Western after two men entered one of the university’s engineering buildings.
One person was arrested just outside that building. Further investigations led authorities to a residence in the nearby University Heights neighborhood where three more individuals were taken into custody.
Police spent days investigating inside the residence at 212 Chesham Place in London. (Alessio Donnini/CBC)
The police conducted a multi-day search at the home located at 212 Chesham Place where Wang, Han, and Ji lived, as well as at two other properties in Orléans near Ottawa and Gatineau, Quebec.
How this Ontario home became the centre of a national security probe
Four people are currently detained after police discovered chemicals they believe could be used for creating explosives inside an Ontario home. New information reveals that these suspects were developing an anti-drone weapon system. Here’s what we know so far.
Tong and Wang also face fresh accusations concerning events that took place months before their arrests.
Wang is now charged with weapon manufacturing between September 1st and January 24th while both he and Tong are charged with breaking into a Western building on October 9th last year.
London police are seen outside the home at 212 Chesham Place on Feb. 2. (Alessio Donnini/CBC)
All four also have new counts involving possession of property belonging to Western University valued under $5,000.
Wang faces an individual charge regarding accessing computer data tied to firearms or prohibited devices specifically design files usable with a 3D printer or metal milling machine aimed at producing such devices.
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Firearms Charges Across Other Locations
Upon their initial arrest, these four faced several firearms-related charges including manufacturing a handgun and having a loaded restricted handgun without authorization. New allegations against Tong, Wang, and Ji include possession of magazines and suppressors along with another prohibited firearm. Additionally, Tong and Wang are now accused of mishandling a rifle as well as storing it carelessly. Tong holds most of the charges against him along with new counts linked to incidents occurring in different cities. He’s been charged with storing rifles at a residence in Orleans, manufacturing a prohibited firearm within Ottawa’s limits, and possessing a rifle at an unauthorized site in Quebec. Court filings indicate that Tong had a firearms license; however some allegations involve him possessing firearms outside what his license allows. WATCH | How this Ontario home became the centre of a national security probe:
How this Ontario home became the centre of a national security probe
Four people are currently detained after police discovered chemicals they believe could be used for creating explosives inside an Ontario home. New information reveals that these suspects were developing an anti-drone weapon system. Here’s what we know so far.
Tong and Wang also face fresh accusations concerning events that took place months before their arrests.
Wang is now charged with weapon manufacturing between September 1st and January 24th while both he and Tong are charged with breaking into a Western building on October 9th last year.
A List of Explosive Substances Named
Court documents reveal new allegations against Tong, Wang, Han, and Ji for possessing explosive substances-now naming them explicitly for the first time. Their accusations include holding pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), trinitrotoluene (TNT), dinitrophenol (DNP), hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD), and lead azide. Initially all four faced charges related to possessing precursor substances alongside finished high explosives. p >Two Released on Bail While Two Remain Detained
The breakdown for how many charges each person faces is as follows: p >Tong: 28. Wang: 20. Han: 11. Ji: 13. The group continues navigating through legal proceedings; two have been released on bail while two remain incarcerated. Tong did not apply for bail remaining detained; Han was denied bail back in February after being remanded into custody. Wang received bail approval during March under strict conditions including house arrest around-the-clock supervision from two sureties who each put up $200k; Ji is out on bail without sureties required.Source link









