Jacob D. Miller, a 44-year-old Massachusetts felon, has pleaded guilty to illegally importing plutonium from Russia and selling radioactive and toxic materials to customers in the United States and abroad. Federal prosecutors said he sold plutonium to about 67 customers and thallium to about 71 customers through his business and an online marketplace. Miller also admitted possessing ammunition, explosive materials and child sexual abuse material. He has been held in federal custody since his arrest in April 2025 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 21.
| 1) | Guilty pleas cover nuclear, hazardous and illegal firearm offenses |
|---|---|
| 2) | Plutonium sales reached customers in the United States and abroad |
| 3) | Thallium was marketed and mailed despite federal restrictions |
| 4) | Investigators found explosives, firearms, ammunition and illegal files |
| 5) | Sentencing follows arrest and federal indictment |
Guilty pleas cover nuclear, hazardous and illegal firearm offenses
Jacob D. Miller pleaded guilty to five federal offenses, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. The charges were 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.
The case concerns conduct involving regulated nuclear material, hazardous substances and weapons-related items. Miller had previously been convicted in Massachusetts state court on Feb. 9, 2004, for possessing child pornography and possessing an explosive device. He received seven years of probation in the child pornography case and, in a separate case involving two counts of possessing an explosive device, a 2.5-year jail sentence followed by 10 years of probation.
Plutonium sales reached customers in the United States and abroad
After his release, Miller operated a business called Collect The Periodic Table, or CTPT, which sold samples of chemical elements. Prosecutors said the business offered plutonium, a highly radioactive material, as well as other substances. Miller also used the online third-party retailer Bonanza to facilitate sales.
Between Dec. 30, 2020, and March 31, 2025, prosecutors said Miller imported plutonium from Russia and arranged for it to be mailed to his Massachusetts residence. During that period, he sold the material to about 67 customers in the United States and abroad. He then used a U.S. mail service to ship plutonium to customers, even though prosecutors said the material was hazardous and prohibited from being mailed.
Thallium was marketed and mailed despite federal restrictions
The alleged sales were not limited to plutonium. Prosecutors said Miller used CTPT and Bonanza to sell thallium, a highly toxic substance, to about 71 customers between Oct. 12, 2017, and April 5, 2025.
Miller also sent thallium through the U.S. mail. Federal prosecutors said the substance was hazardous and barred from being mailed. The guilty plea therefore covers a broader pattern of selling and shipping regulated materials through commercial and postal channels, rather than a single isolated transaction.
Investigators found explosives, firearms, ammunition and illegal files
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 could not lawfully possess the ammunition, firearms or explosive materials because of his earlier felony convictions.
Agents also recovered a laptop and a cellphone containing child sexual abuse material. According to prosecutors, Miller had opened some of the material as recently as the day before investigators executed the search warrant. The evidence connected the current case to both the alleged hazardous-material sales and the possession offenses.
Sentencing follows arrest and federal indictment
Miller was arrested on April 9, 2025, and a federal grand jury indicted him on April 17. He has remained in federal custody since his arrest while the case proceeded in Massachusetts federal court.
His guilty pleas resolve the five charges described by federal prosecutors, but the court will determine his punishment at sentencing. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 21. The supplied case information does not state the expected sentence or whether additional penalties will be imposed for the individual counts.
| No. | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Miller pleaded guilty to five federal offenses. |
| 2 | Prosecutors said he sold Russian plutonium to about 67 customers. |
| 3 | He also sold thallium to about 71 customers. |
| 4 | A search found explosive powder, ammunition, six firearms and child sexual abuse material. |
| 5 | Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 21. |
Summary
The guilty pleas conclude the criminal proceeding’s trial phase against Jacob D. Miller, but sentencing remains outstanding. Federal prosecutors described sales of radioactive plutonium and toxic thallium conducted through a business, an online marketplace and the U.S. mail. The case also involved weapons and explosive materials allegedly possessed despite Miller’s prior felony convictions, along with child sexual abuse material found during the investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jacob D. Miller?
Jacob D. Miller is a 44-year-old Massachusetts resident and convicted felon who pleaded guilty to five federal offenses involving nuclear material, hazardous materials, ammunition, explosive materials and child pornography.
What materials did prosecutors say Miller sold?
Prosecutors said Miller sold plutonium imported from Russia and thallium, a highly toxic substance, through his business and an online third-party retailer.
When is Miller scheduled to be sentenced?
His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 21. He has remained in federal custody since his April 9, 2025, arrest.
What did investigators find at his residence?
Investigators found explosive powder, ammunition, six firearms, a laptop and a cellphone containing child sexual abuse material, according to prosecutors.