LAS VEGAS -- The man at the center of a ricin scare has contacted his family after waking from a poison-induced coma.

Roger Von Bergendorff has been in the hospital since Feb. 14. He admitted himself to Sunrise's emergency room after police said he was exposed to ricin while attempting to make the poison.

The toxin was found on Feb. 27 after friends were called to clean out Von Bergendorff's room at an Extended Stay America. They turned the poison over to hotel officials, along with some castor beans.

Federal officials began an investigation into the poison's creation and how it came to Las Vegas.

Von Bergendorff woke from the coma Friday and was questioned by the FBI. Agents would not discuss his responses, but shortly thereafter, Von Bergendorff contacted some of his family.

According to The Associated Press, he told his brother, Eric, he had no intention to hurt anyone with the ricin and blamed the poison for his declining health.

Von Bergendorff told his brother the ricin poison was easy to make, saying that he intended to use it for "self-defense" purposes.

Acquaintances described Bergendorff as a "hot-headed introvert" who loved animals. He had financial problems in 2000 and had stayed in two different hotels in Las Vegas.

Besides the poison and castor beans, police said they found guns and an "anarchist type textbook" in Von Bergendorff's room, but they do not think the poison is terror-related.

Von Bergendorff is listed in fair condition at Spring Valley Hospital.

Possession of ricin carries the possibility of fines and up to 10 years in federal prison.