Man admits knowledge in ricin case

SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- A Utah man has admitted he knew his cousin was making a deadly toxin, telling a federal judge he kept the knowledge to himself because he was scared.

Thomas Tholen, a freelance artist, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court, The Salt Lake Tribune reported. He faces up to three years in prison when he is sentenced.

Tholen's cousin, Roger Von Bergendorff, was arrested in Las Vegas, where he was staying in an Extended Stay America hotel. When he called for help because he was having trouble breathing, investigators found ricin in his room along with a small cache of weapons.

Ricin is a biological toxin so lethal that an amount the size of a pinhead could kill a human being.

Before he went to Las Vegas, Von Bergendorff lived with Tholen and his family in Riverton and then in a house across the street. Tholen said he knew his cousin had a book with instructions on making ricin and was working on it in the basement.

Von Bergendorff pleaded guilty last month and faces up to 10 years in prison. He denied any plans to use the ricin, The New York Times said.