Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Plutonium Importation and Child Exploitation

A man from Massachusetts, Jacob D. Miller, has admitted to illegally importing plutonium from Russia and selling it to customers both in the United States and abroad. He also pled guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material.

The 44-year-old Miller faced several charges, including being a felon in possession of ammunition and explosive materials, unlawfully importing nuclear material, mailing hazardous materials, and possessing child pornography. This was confirmed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

Miller was taken into custody on April 9, 2025, and subsequently indicted by a grand jury a week later. Since his arrest, he has been held in federal custody.

Miller’s legal troubles aren’t new; he had previously been convicted in Massachusetts for possessing child pornography and an explosive device back in 2004. He received seven years of probation for the child pornography charge and a sentence of 2½ years in jail with an added 10 years of probation for the explosive device case.

After serving his time, he started a business named Collect The Periodic Table (CTPT) where he sold samples of various elements, including the highly radioactive plutonium and toxic thallium. He sold these materials directly through CTPT and also utilized an online platform called Bonanza.

Prosecutors revealed that Miller imported plutonium from Russia, which he had mailed to his home in Massachusetts. Between December 30, 2020, and March 31, 2025, he sold plutonium to approximately 67 customers in the U.S. and abroad, shipping it through a postal service despite it being classified as a hazardous substance not permitted for mailing.

Additionally, from October 12, 2017, to April 5, 2025, he used CTPT and Bonanza to sell thallium to about 71 customers, again shipping through the U.S. mail, ignoring its classification as a hazardous material.

During a search of Miller’s home in April 2025, investigators discovered a box containing explosive powder, numerous rounds of ammunition, and six firearms. These items were found in his possession unlawfully due to his previous felony convictions.

Moreover, investigators found child sexual abuse materials on Miller’s laptop and cell phone, some of which he had accessed just a day prior to the execution of the search warrant.

Miller is set to be sentenced on January 21.