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 documents submitted on Tuesday. The accused, 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 male individuals having engineering backgrounds.
The updated charges, documented at the Ontario Court of Justice, now amount to a total of 31 separate counts. Some charges are collective against all four suspects, while others are specific to individual defendants.
Among the newly added charges are possession of five distinct explosive materials, possession of stolen items, and accessing computer data linked to firearms manufacturing. The investigation, which commenced on January 24 following an incident of trespassing at Western University, led authorities to a residence in the University Heights neighborhood where the accused were apprehended.
Law enforcement conducted an extensive search of the dwelling at 212 Chesham Place, where Wang, Han, and Ji resided, as well as two other properties in Orleans, Ottawa, and Gatineau, Quebec.
Initially facing multiple firearms charges, including the creation of a handgun and possession of a loaded restricted handgun, the suspects now have additional charges related to magazines, suppression devices, and prohibited firearms. Tong and Wang are also accused of mishandling and negligently storing a rifle.
Tong, who bears the brunt of the charges, faces accusations spanning various cities, encompassing storing rifles in Orleans, producing a prohibited firearm in Ottawa, and possessing a rifle at an unsanctioned location in Quebec. Despite holding a firearms license, Tong faces charges for possessing a firearm at an unapproved site.
The individuals also face charges relating to events predating their arrests. Wang is accused of manufacturing a weapon between September 1, 2025, and January 24, 2026, while both he and Tong are charged with breaking into a Western building on October 9, 2025.
Court documents further outline charges against Tong, Wang, Han, and Ji for possessing explosive substances, including pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), trinitrotoluene (TNT), dinitrophenol (DNP), hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD), and lead azide. The accused were initially charged with possessing precursor substances and completed high explosives.
Additionally, all four are charged with possessing Western University property valued at less than $5,000. Wang faces an individual charge of accessing computer data related to firearms, specifically design files usable with 3D printers or similar systems for manufacturing devices.
The accused face varying numbers of charges, with Tong at 28, Wang at 20, Han at 11, and Ji at 13. Two individuals are presently out on bail, while the other two remain in custody, undergoing legal proceedings.
Tong opted not to seek bail and remains detained. Han was denied bail and returned to custody in February. Wang was granted bail in March under stringent conditions, including 24-hour house arrest and supervision by two sureties, each posting $200,000. Ji is also out on bail without the need for sureties.