Vegas Ricin Hearing: Press Briefing By U.S. Attorney, Gregory Brower

Traces of ricin and materials to produce it were found in West Jordan storage units rented by a man who was arrested today for possessing the deadly toxin, investigators said.
    Roger Von Bergendorff, 57, was arrested Wednesday morning after he was released from a Las Vegas hospital where he slipped into a coma in February, U.S. Attorney Gregory A. Bower said.
    After Bergendorff fell ill, police searched his hotel room and found vials of ricin, a deadly toxin made from the mash that is left over after processing castor beans for oil.
    Federal agents later searched storage units Bergendorff rented in Salt Lake City and found castor beans, various chemicals used to make ricin, a respirator, filters, a painter's mask, laboratory glassware, syringes and a notebook on ricin production.
    Bergendorff previously had lived at his cousin's Riverton home, which agents searched March 2 for any sign of ricin. The cousin, 54-year-old Thomas Tholen, was indicted April 2 on a federal charge that he lied to authorities in the investigation.
    Bergendorff now faces federal charges of possession of a biological toxin, possession of unregistered firearms and possession of firearms not identified by serial number.

    "It is illegal under federal law to knowingly possess a biological agent and toxin of a type and quantity that is not reasonably justified by a prophylactic, protective, bona fide research, or other peaceful purpose," Brower said in a news release.