A Chinese graduate student in microbiology at a university in Wyoming has been taken into custody for allegedly tampering with a colleague’s tea, who was involved in patent-related work, and attempting to flee the country after being questioned by the police. Aili Wang, 32, was apprehended at Los Angeles International Airport on October 6, where authorities claim she was planning to fly back to China. She was found in possession of numerous electronic devices and documents that are now with the authorities.
According to investigators, surveillance footage showed Wang searching through the desk of the alleged victim, who was researching technology for disease treatment, a field similar to Wang’s previous work in China. Wang is currently being held in Los Angeles without the option for bail.
The poisoning incident came to light when the alleged victim’s wife and others detected an unusual substance in the water from his coffee maker, which he used to brew tea. The faculty member overseeing both students, Mark Gomelsky, expressed shock at the accusations and concerns about the victim’s recovery.
Wang, who has not retained legal representation, reportedly had a strained relationship with the victim, with whom she did not share research interests. It was revealed that Wang had purchased acrylamide online and had requested the deletion of her eBay account following the incidents.
The victim, identified as K.T., began experiencing health issues after attending a conference and subsequently set up surveillance cameras in the shared office space with Wang. Suspicion arose when peculiar behavior by Wang was captured on camera, leading to the discovery of acrylamide in the coffee maker water.
Gomelsky mentioned that the victim’s condition deteriorated rapidly, showing symptoms such as fatigue, numbness, and weakness. The presence of acrylamide, a neurotoxin, in the victim’s system raised concerns about his recovery prospects. Wang, who allegedly harbored envy towards the victim’s academic achievements, now faces a severe charge of aggravated assault and battery in Wyoming, carrying a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The extradition process for Wang is ongoing, with a significant increase in her bond set by the court. The judge in charge raised the bond to $1.5 million in cash only, reflecting the gravity of the charges against the accused student.
