Chinese national accused of poisoning cancer researcher had laptops seized while fleeing U.S.: cops
A University of Wyoming student, Aili Wang, was arrested on suspicion of trying to poison a colleague and then attempting to leave the United States for China. Police say surveillance footage showed her handling the colleague’s mug and searching his desk; the case has raised concern because the colleague’s federally funded research focuses on treatments for cancer and other diseases.
Authorities identified the liquid as acrylamide, which they say Wang bought online. Her colleague’s wife detected it in water from a coffee maker, and the colleague continues to report symptoms including difficulty concentrating. Wang was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on 6 October with several laptops and storage devices; after her return to Wyoming, her cash-only bond was raised from $200,000 to $1.5 million. She faces aggravated assault and battery charges, which carry a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
- Wyoming student accused of trying to poison a research colleague.
- Police say she was arrested while attempting to leave for China.
- Her bond was raised to $1.5 million cash-only.
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The University of Wyoming is a public university in the western United States. Its researchers receive funding from the federal government for work on health problems, including cancer and other diseases. Research in this area can involve years of work and collaboration between university staff.
Aili Wang and the colleague she is accused of targeting were both connected to the university. Acrylamide is a chemical used in some industrial processes and laboratories; exposure can be harmful, depending on the amount and route. In a criminal case, an accusation is not proof, and the charges must be dealt with through the US legal system.