Sen. Sheehy calls for investigation into lab

U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General T. March Bell asking for an investigation into the safety, security, and personnel practices at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton.

In the letter, Sheehy references a whistleblower complaint.

“Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) is a federal National Institutes of Health (NIH) research facility in Hamilton, Montana, that conducts studies on some of the world’s most dangerous infectious diseases,” reads Sheehy’s letter to Bell. “The seriousness of the work conducted at RML means that even small lapses can carry real risks for the staff and surrounding community. Recently, a whistleblower complaint became public alleging misconduct involving RML employees that may pose a threat to our national security.”

Sheehy’s letter, sent May 26, references Vincent Munster, who was more recently charged in a Michigan federal court with conspiracy to smuggle monkeypox into the U.S. and giving false statements to federal law enforcement.

“The whistleblower complaint alleges that in January 2026, Dr. Munster and his associate – both foreign-educated scientists – traveled to Africa to perform research activities,” the letter reads. “Upon their return to the United States on January 25, 2026, Munster was detained at the Detroit International Airport after allegedly transporting vials with unknown contents in his personal luggage. It has since been confirmed that Dr. Munster was indeed detained at the airport and there is an ongoing investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).”

The whistleblower also alleged that on Jan. 26, RML permitted Munster and his associates to come and go as they pleased into the facility, into the high containment BSL-4 building, and into their offices.

“Despite being detained the day before, the whistleblower alleges this occurred completely unsupervised and unrestricted,” the letter reads. “According to the whistleblower, on January 27, 2026, RML then restricted access to the three individuals, though a ‘personal representative’ was allowed to get their belongings. Another concern, if true, is the claim that one of Munster’s associates has since had full facility access restored.”

According to NIH, there have been two incidents involving the theft, loss, or release of a pathogen in the last year, Sheehy noted.

“In November 2025, a RML employee’s personal protective equipment was breached by a bite, and the employee was exposed to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), which is a severe, tick-borne viral disease that can lead to life-threatening hemorrhages and carries a fatality rate of up to 40 percent,” the letter reads. “This biosafety incident required the exposed employee to quarantine at a specialized medical facility to monitor symptoms and prevent disease transmission. Additionally, in February 2026, a RML employee was potentially exposed to CCHF while handling laboratory mice due to a hole in their personal protective equipment.”

Sheehy asked Bell to review the November 2025 and February 2026 incidents at RML, including the details of each event, the purpose of the research and the pathogens being used, and the biosafety and the lab’s biosecurity procedures. He also asked Bell to review RML’s safety, security, and oversight policies, and RML’s personnel management practices, including background checks, oversight, and clearance processes for staff who handle high-risk pathogens or have access to sensitive materials and the facility. The letter also asked Bell to review NIH protocols for employees under investigation, including facility access, employment status, and coordination with law enforcement, and any recommendations to ensure these protocols protect against potential security risks.

“In light of the seriousness of these incidents and the risks posed by potentially rogue scientists, I urge your immediate attention to this matter,” the letter reads. “The Hamilton community and our nation deserve assurances that Rocky Mountain Laboratories is operating under thorough oversight, that proper safety and security protocols are being followed, and that personnel handling hazardous biological materials are being properly vetted and supervised.”