Plea agreement reached in ricin case

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- The man who touched off concern in February after the toxin ricin was found in his Las Vegas motel room pleaded guilty to possessing the banned substance.

Roger Von Bergendorff, 57, reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors Monday in which he pleaded guilty to possessing a biological toxin and a charge of possession of unregistered handgun silencers, The New York Times reported Tuesday. In exchange, the prosecution agreed to drop a charge of possession of unregistered guns and to recommend a 57-month sentence.

Bergendorff is to be sentenced Nov. 3. Under federal sentencing guidelines, Bergendorff could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison, the Times said.

The case began Feb. 26 when ricin was discovered in Bergendorff's motel room. At the time of the discovery, Bergendorff was in a coma in a hospital, where he was admitted Feb. 14 for respiratory distress. He later was released.

Four grams of ricin, enough to kill more than 500 people, were seized. Federal investigators ruled out domestic terrorism as a motive.

When in court Monday, Bergendorff offered no reason why he had the ricin.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Damm, who negotiated the plea arrangement, told the Times, "There is no evidence to indicate any intent to target any individual or individuals with the substance."