WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- A man at the center of a mysterious case of exposure to the deadly biological agent ricin has been arrested , FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said Wednesday . Ricin was found in a room in this Las Vegas , Nevada , extended-stay hotel in February , police say . Roger Bergendorff was taken into custody Wednesday morning in Las Vegas , Nevada , Kolko said . Bergendorff , 57 , was hospitalized with what was diagnosed as ricin exposure after the agent was discovered in his hotel room off the Las Vegas Strip . Tests conducted by the FBI determined that the substance contained 2.9 percent active ricin . Its preparation was characterized as `` crude , '' according to the U.S. attorney 's office in Las Vegas . According to a press release from the Department of Justice office , a search of Bergendorff 's hotel room turned up `` an 'Anarchist 's Cookbook , ' a collection of instructions on poisons and other dangerous recipes , including instructions on the preparation of ricin , '' two semiautomatic pistols , a rifle and a pistol with a silencer . `` FBI searches of Salt Lake City [ Utah ] storage units rented by Von Bergendorff resulted in the discovery of castor beans , various chemicals used in the production of ricin , a respirator , filters , painter 's mask , laboratory glassware , syringes and a notebook on ricin production , '' the Justice Department release said . Bergendorff is charged with possession of a biological toxin , possession of unregistered firearms and possession of firearms not identified by serial number , according to the U.S. attorney 's office . If convicted of all charges , he would face a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $ 750,000 . Bergendorff is scheduled for an initial court appearance at 3 p.m. Wednesday . It is illegal under federal law to possess a biological agent and toxin unless it is used for bona fide research or other peaceful purpose , U.S. Attorney Gregory Bower said in a written statement . Bergendorff 's cousin , Thomas Tholen of Riverton , Utah , was indicted by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City this month , accused of failing to report production and possession of ricin . Ricin is a poison that can be made from the waste of castor bean processing , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . It can come in the form of a mist or pellet and can be dissolved in water or weak acid , the agency said . Bergendorff was hospitalized February 14 in Las Vegas after he complained of difficulty breathing . He slipped into a coma and awoke March 14 . Bergendorff , 57 , is an artist who neighbors said had lived in his cousin 's basement before moving to Las Vegas . E-mail to a friend . CNN 's Kevin Bohn , Karan Olson and Carol Cratty contributed to this report .
Roger Bergendorff is charged with possession of toxin , firearms . The suspect was identified as a white male in his 20s who has been living at the home since last year. His cousin is charged with failing to report production and possession .