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US man pleads guilty to importing, selling plutonium from Russia
In short
Jacob Miller, 44, of Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to illegally importing and selling plutonium from Russia, US prosecutors said. He bought plutonium-239 from a seller in St Petersburg and sent it to at least 67 clients in the US, Canada, Japan and Switzerland between 2020 and 2025, according to the documents. He also sold highly toxic thallium, with TASS reporting 71 clients, and faces sentencing on 21 January 2027.
Why it matters
The case involves plutonium-239, a material that states previously accounted for as weapons stockpile, raising physical security and mail-control concerns beyond the illegal sales themselves. The documents also place the material in the context of a 2000 Russia-US agreement, ratified in 2011, to dispose of 34 tonnes of excess plutonium.
Key facts
- Jacob Miller, 44, from Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to illegally importing and selling plutonium from Russia, according to US prosecutors. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He bought plutonium-239 from a seller in St Petersburg and sent it to at least 67 clients in the US, Canada, Japan and Switzerland, the documents say. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Miller also sold highly toxic thallium; TASS reported 71 clients, while Kommersant did not give a number. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Charges include illegal trafficking of radioactive materials, mailing hazardous substances, possession of child pornography, and ammunition and explosives. [ 2 ]
- Sentencing is set for 21 January 2027, with each key charge carrying up to 20 years in prison. [ 2 ]
- In 2017, Miller created a home online store called Collect the Periodic Table, according to Kommersant. [ 2 ]
- One buyer from Minnesota was later charged in the fatal poisoning of his roommate, Kommersant reported. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Jacob Miller, 44, from Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to illegally importing and selling plutonium from Russia. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He bought plutonium-239 from a seller in St Petersburg and sent it to clients in the US, Canada, Japan and Switzerland. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The number of clients or deals was at least 67. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Miller also sold highly toxic thallium. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the figure of 67 refers to sales deals or clients. RBC says at least 67 deals, while Kommersant says at least 67 clients.
- The exact number of thallium buyers. TASS, citing NYT, says 71 clients; Kommersant mentions thallium sales but gives no number.
- The identity of the St Petersburg seller. The documents do not name the seller.
- The city or court where Miller entered his plea. Documents refer to the District of Massachusetts but do not specify a city.
- The outcome of the case against the Minnesota buyer accused in the fatal poisoning. Kommersant says the buyer was charged but does not give a result.
- The charges against Miller include illegal trafficking of radioactive materials, mailing hazardous substances, possession of child pornography, and ammunition and explosives, according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts. Reported by a single source so far
- Sentencing was set for 21 January 2027, and each key charge carries up to 20 years in prison, according to the US Attorney's Office. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Business mediaRBC and Kommersant focused on the guilty plea, the charges, the St Petersburg seller, the 67 clients or deals, and the weapons-stockpile context of plutonium-239.
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Official sourcesTASS reported the guilty plea via NYT and highlighted that Miller also sold highly toxic thallium to 71 clients.
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Timeline, local time
- RBC reports that an American pleaded guilty to importing and selling plutonium from Russia, buying plutonium-239 from a St Petersburg seller and making at least 67 deals. [ 1 ]
- Kommersant reports that Jacob Miller pleaded guilty, details the charges, the 2020-2025 imports, at least 67 clients, thallium sales and the 21 January 2027 sentencing. [ 2 ]
- TASS reports that Miller also sold thallium to 71 clients, citing NYT. [ 3 ]