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An unemployed graphic designer who authorities believe was nearly killed by ricin was arrested today on federal charges of possessing the deadly toxin in what he described as an “exotic idea,” never carried out, to poison unspecified enemies.

Roger Bergendorff was arrested upon his release from the hospital where he had been treated since Feb. 14.

He is charged with possession of a biological toxin and two weapons offenses stemming from materials authorities said were found Feb. 26 and Feb. 28 in his room at an extended-stay motel several blocks off the Las Vegas Strip.

“He was released from the hospital and he’s in custody,” said FBI Special Agent Joseph Dickey, spokesman for the bureau’s Las Vegas office.

The charges carry a possible penalty of 30 years in federal prison and a $750,000 fine. Bergendorff, 57, was scheduled to appear today before a federal judge in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas.

Prosecutors allege in a six-page complaint that Bergendorff obtained castor beans by mail in June 2002 and made ricin from them while living in Reno and in the basement of his cousin’s house in Riverton, Utah.

Cancer research is the only legal use for ricin, which has no antidote and can be lethal in amounts the size of the head of a pin.

Authorities do not allege Bergendorff’s possession of ricin had anything to do with terrorism, according to court documents.

“Bergendorff characterized the production of ricin as an ‘exotic idea,’” the complaint said.
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