SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – A Utah man accused of failing to report that his cousin was making the deadly poison ricin has pleaded guilty to the felony charge.

Thomas Tholen entered the plea Monday in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City. Prosecutor John Huber recommended three years of probation. Sentencing was set for October.

His cousin, Roger Bergendorff, pleaded guilty last week to federal possession of a biological toxin and weapons charges. He denied criminal intent and said he never released any of the lethal powder.


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