Four individuals implicated in a probe involving the production of explosives and firearms in London, Ontario, are now facing 19 additional charges, as per court records filed on Tuesday. Jerry Tong, Zekun (Alex) Wang, Fei (Frank) Han, and Feiyang (Astrid) Ji were initially charged in January. All four have ties to Western University, either as students or recent graduates, with the three men having backgrounds in the engineering department.
The updated set of charges, submitted to the Ontario Court of Justice, brings the total number of counts to 31, encompassing various joint charges against all four individuals and specific charges against each accused. The new allegations include the possession of five distinct explosive materials, possession of stolen property, and unauthorized access to computer data linked to the manufacturing of firearms.
The investigation, which began on January 24 following a trespassing incident at Western University involving two of the accused, led to the discovery of potential bomb-making substances. One individual was apprehended at the scene, while the others were found in a residence in the University Heights neighborhood. Police conducted an extensive search at the residence where Wang, Han, and Ji resided, along with additional properties in Orléans, Ottawa, and Gatineau.
Initial firearms charges against the group included the production of a handgun and possession of a loaded restricted handgun. The recent charges against Tong, Wang, and Ji involve possession of magazines, suppression devices, and another prohibited firearm. Tong and Wang also face accusations of improper handling and storage of a rifle.
Tong, who is facing the bulk of the charges, is now implicated in events in other cities, including storing rifles in Orleans, manufacturing a prohibited firearm in Ottawa, and possessing a rifle at an unauthorized location in Quebec. Despite holding a firearms license, Tong faces charges related to possessing a firearm in a location not specified on his license.
Recent charges against Wang involve the manufacturing of a weapon during a specific period and breaking into a Western building on a different date. The group is now charged with possessing explosive substances, namely pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), trinitrotoluene (TNT), dinitrophenol (DNP), hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD), and lead azide.
Additionally, all four individuals now face a charge of possessing Western University property valued at less than $5,000. Wang has an additional charge of accessing computer data related to firearms, specifically design files usable for manufacturing devices.
The accused individuals currently face varying numbers of charges, with Tong at 28, Wang at 20, Han at 11, and Ji at 13. Two of the accused are out on bail while the other two remain in custody, progressing through the legal system.
Tong opted not to seek bail and remains detained, while Han was denied bail and remanded in custody. Wang was granted bail under stringent conditions, including 24-hour house arrest and constant supervision by two sureties. Ji is also out on bail without the need for sureties.