A convicted Massachusetts felon has pleaded guilty to illegally importing plutonium from Russia, selling the radioactive substance and other highly toxic materials to customers in the United States and abroad, and possessing child sexual abuse material.
Jacob D. Miller, 44, admitted to one count each of being a felon in possession of ammunition, being a felon in possession of explosive materials, importing nuclear material without lawful authority, mailing hazardous materials and possessing child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
Miller was arrested April 9, 2025, and indicted by a grand jury on April 17. He has remained in federal custody since his arrest.
A convicted felon has pleaded guilty to illegally importing plutonium from Russia and selling it to customers in the U.S. and abroad. (FBI Boston)
Miller was previously convicted in Massachusetts state court on Feb. 9, 2004, of possessing child pornography and an explosive device. Federal prosecutors said he received seven years of probation in the child pornography case. In a separate case involving two counts of possessing an explosive device, he was sentenced to 2½ years in prison followed by 10 years of probation.
After his release, Miller launched a business called Collect The Periodic Table, or CTPT, through which he sold samples of elements including highly radioactive plutonium and highly toxic thallium, prosecutors said. He also used the online third-party marketplace Bonanza to sell the materials.
Prosecutors said Miller imported plutonium from Russia and arranged for it to be mailed to his home in Massachusetts. From Dec. 30, 2020, through March 31, 2025, he sold plutonium to approximately 67 customers in the United States and other countries. He shipped the material through a U.S. mail service even though plutonium is a hazardous substance prohibited from shipment.
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Jacob Miller was arrested on April 9, 2025, and indicted by a grand jury the following week. (FBI Boston)
Between Oct. 12, 2017, and April 5, 2025, Miller used CTPT and Bonanza to sell thallium to approximately 71 customers, according to prosecutors. He likewise sent the hazardous material through the U.S. mail, despite its being prohibited from shipment.
Investigators searching Miller’s residence in April 2025 found a box containing bottles of explosive powder, numerous rounds of ammunition and six firearms. Prosecutors said Miller was barred from possessing the ammunition, firearms and explosive materials because of his prior felony convictions.
Jacob Miller had previously been convicted in 2004 for possessing child pornography and possessing an explosive device. (FBI Boston)
Investigators also found child sexual abuse material on Miller’s laptop and cellphone. Prosecutors said he had opened the material as recently as the day before the search warrant was executed.
Miller is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 21.