Massachusetts Felon Admits Selling Russian Plutonium to 67 Buyers

A Massachusetts convicted felon has pleaded guilty to illegally importing plutonium from Russia, selling the radioactive material and other highly toxic substances to customers in the United States and overseas, and possessing child sexual abuse material.

Jacob D. Miller, 44, pleaded guilty to charges of being a felon in possession of ammunition and explosive materials, importing nuclear material without legal authorization, mailing hazardous materials and possessing child pornography, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts said.

Miller was arrested April 9, 2025, and indicted by a grand jury eight days later. He has remained in federal custody since his arrest.

Miller was previously convicted in Massachusetts state court on Feb. 9, 2004, for 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 sold the materials directly and through the online marketplace Bonanza.

Prosecutors said Miller imported plutonium from Russia and arranged to have it mailed to his Massachusetts home. From Dec. 30, 2020, through March 31, 2025, he sold the material to approximately 67 customers in the United States and abroad. He then shipped the plutonium through the U.S. mail, even though its hazardous nature prohibited it from being sent that way.

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From Oct. 12, 2017, through April 5, 2025, Miller used CTPT and Bonanza to sell thallium to about 71 customers, according to prosecutors. He also sent the toxic material through the U.S. mail, despite thallium 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 weapons, ammunition and explosive materials because of his prior felony convictions.

Miller’s laptop and cellphone also contained child sexual abuse material, prosecutors said. He had opened some of the material as recently as the day before investigators executed the search warrant.

Miller is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 21.