American Admits Illegal Plutonium Trade from Russia
In the US, an American who traded plutonium purchased in Russia is beginning to be prosecuted. Jacob Miller, a resident of Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to illegally importing plutonium from Russia and selling it online, according to the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office.
Consensus
- Jacob Miller, a resident of Massachusetts, admitted guilt in the illegal import and sale of plutonium-239.
- The plutonium-239 was sourced from a seller in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
- Miller operated an online store called Collect the Periodic Table starting in 2017.
- Between 2020 and 2024, Miller shipped hazardous materials, including plutonium-239 and thallium, to at least 67 customers in the US, Canada, Japan, and Switzerland.
- Miller also admitted to possessing child pornography and explosives.
- A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 21, 2027.
- Each major charge carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
Points of divergence
- Miller sold plutonium-239 to at least 67 customers from the end of 2020 to March 2025. — tg_moscowtimes_ru
- One of Miller's thallium buyers from Minnesota was later charged with murder after the victim's body showed lethal thallium levels. — tg_moscowtimes_ru
- The plutonium-239 came from an old Soviet smoke detector. — tg_moscowtimes_ru
- The amount of plutonium-239 illegally imported is not specified. — fontanka
- Miller's thallium sales were not linked to any specific criminal case beyond the Minnesota incident. — kommerant
Coverage (5 sources)
- Massachusetts resident pleaded guilty in case of reselling plutonium obtained from Russia — ЭХО / Новости
- American admitted to illegal purchase of plutonium-239 from a St. Petersburg resident — РИАМО
- In the US began to try an American who traded plutonium bought in Russia — The Moscow Times
- American admitted guilt in plutonium smuggling from Russia. Case includes seller from St. Petersburg — Фонтанка
- American admitted guilt in illegal import of plutonium from Russia — Коммерсантъ