Man, 31, Arrested on Charges of Running a Meth Lab in Wells Hall on Michigan State Campus

Wells Hall (Screenshot from WNEM-TV video)

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on charges of allegedly running a methamphetamine lab out of Wells Hall, the largest academic building on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing. It houses the departments of mathematics, English, and languages. 

Xin Tong was arrested on felony criminal charges for malicious destruction of a building over $20,000 and “felony controlled substance-operate/maintain lab involving methamphetamine." Authorities declined to say if Tong might have been a student or faculty member.

He was arraigned Wednesday and was being held in the Ingham County Jail on a $500,000 cash or surety bond.

Police, in a press release, said the building, which closed this week, will remain shut through Friday as officials evaluate it to make sure it's safe for students and faculty.

Xin Tong (Ingham County Jail photo)

MSU police said they responded to reports of damage inside Wells Hall to flooring, doors, and fixtures related to the criminal activity.

Police made contact with Tong after responding to a call about trespassing on Sunday night.

Police said Tong was in possession of "multiple substances that can be legally purchased in retail stores or online. The chemicals include sodium hydroxide pellets, hydrochloric acid, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, and butane."