US Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Importing and Selling Plutonium

A US man has pleaded guilty to illegally importing radioactive plutonium from Russia and selling it online to dozens of buyers.

Jacob D. Miller, 44, admitted to five charges, including illegally importing nuclear material, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts said Monday.

Prosecutors said Miller sold plutonium to about 67 customers, including buyers in the United States and abroad. He obtained the material from a seller in St. Petersburg, Russia, and operated an online business called “Collect the Periodic Table” from his home in South Hadley, Massachusetts, beginning in 2017. He also used the online marketplace Bonanza to sell the material.

Miller imported plutonium between December 30, 2020, and March 31, 2025. Prosecutors said he sent the prohibited material to customers through the US Postal Service. He also shipped thallium, a highly toxic chemical, to buyers.

Authorities searched Miller’s home in April 2025 and found a box containing bottles of explosive powder, along with numerous rounds of ammunition and six rifles. Prosecutors said Miller was legally prohibited from possessing the firearms and ammunition because of a previous felony conviction.

Investigators also found images and videos depicting child sexual abuse on Miller’s laptop and cellphone. Prosecutors said he had accessed such material as recently as the day before a search warrant was issued.

Miller pleaded guilty to charges involving the unlawful possession of ammunition and explosives, unauthorized importation of nuclear material, mailing hazardous substances and possession of child sexual abuse material.

According to prosecutors, the nuclear-material charges and the child sexual abuse material charge each carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

US District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni has scheduled Miller’s sentencing hearing for January 21, 2027.