A Houston man is accused of threatening to kidnap, murder and burn U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and his father and also to "blow up" the sun if he wasn't paid $3 million.

Nick Gates was being held Tuesday in the Harris County, Texas, jail on a $10,000 bond. He's charged with making a terroristic threat.

Investigators allege threatening phone calls made June 5 to Cruz's offices in Austin and San Antonio were traced back to Gates.

Court documents show the 37-year-old admitted to FBI agents he made the calls and that Cruz was told he had a choice: give Gates the money or "lose the sun."

Gates told agents he had previously been hospitalized at the Harris County Mental Health Center.

Court records didn't list an attorney for Gates.