Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Importing Russian Plutonium, Selling Hazardous Materials
The convicted felon also pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material and unlawful possession of firearms and explosives.
A convicted felon from Massachusetts has pleaded guilty to illegally importing plutonium from Russia and selling the radioactive material, along with other hazardous substances, to customers in the U.S. and abroad. Jacob D. Miller, 44, also pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material, and to being a felon in unlawful possession of ammunition, explosive materials, and firearms.
Miller was arrested on April 9, 2025, and indicted by a grand jury on April 17, remaining in federal custody since his arrest. His prior convictions include possessing child pornography in 2004, for which he received probation, and possessing an explosive device, for which he was sentenced to jail time and probation.
Following his release from his previous sentence, Miller established a business named Collect The Periodic Table (CTPT), through which he sold elemental samples. According to prosecutors, these sales included highly radioactive plutonium and toxic thallium. He conducted sales both directly through CTPT and via an online retailer, Bonanza.
Prosecutors stated that Miller imported plutonium from Russia, arranging for it to be mailed to his Massachusetts residence. Between December 30, 2020, and March 31, 2025, he sold plutonium to approximately 67 customers nationwide and internationally. These shipments were made through a U.S. mail service, despite plutonium being a prohibited hazardous substance for mailing.
Similarly, between October 12, 2017, and April 5, 2025, Miller sold thallium to about 71 customers through CTPT and Bonanza. These thallium shipments also utilized the U.S. mail, notwithstanding thallium's status as a hazardous substance barred from mail delivery.
Investigators found a box containing bottles of explosive powder, numerous rounds of ammunition, and six firearms at Miller’s residence during an April 2025 search. These items were unlawfully possessed due to his prior felony convictions.
Miller’s laptop and cell phone were also discovered to contain child sexual abuse material, which he had accessed as recently as the day before the search, according to prosecutors.
His sentencing is scheduled for January 21.