Man Arrested in Las Vegas Ricin Case
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
LAS VEGAS — An unemployed graphic designer who authorities believe was nearly killed by ricin was arrested yesterday on federal charges that he possessed the deadly toxin as part of an “exotic idea,” which was never carried out, to poison his enemies.
Roger Bergendorff, who authorities allege began making ricin a decade ago, was arrested upon his release from the hospital where he had been treated since February 14.
He is charged with possession of a biological toxin and two weapons offenses stemming from materials that authorities said were found February 26 and February 28 in his room at an extended-stay motel several blocks off the Las Vegas Strip.
