Jacob D. Miller, a 44‑year‑old South Hadley resident, bought 1.2 kg of plutonium from a Russian supplier in St. Petersburg on three separate occasions between December 30, 2020 and March 31, 2025. He advertised the material on his own e‑commerce site, Collect The Periodic Table, and on Bonanza, selling to 67 customers across the United States and over 20 countries. The radioactive isotope, a highly lethal alpha emitter, was mailed through the United States Postal Service, a prohibited channel for hazardous substances.
The April 2025 raid uncovered a 15‑lb crate of explosive powder, 3,200 rounds of .223 ammunition, and six rifles—all illegal to possess by Miller, who had prior felony convictions. The investigators also recovered a laptop and a cell phone that contained child sexual‑abuse material accessed just a day before the search.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts filed five counts: felon in possession of ammunition, felon in possession of explosive materials, importing nuclear material without authority, mailing hazardous materials, and possession of child pornography. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, and Judge Mark G. Mastroianni has set a sentencing hearing for January 21, 2027.
In a small Texas town, a physics‑major named Maya Singh received a package from Miller’s site. When she opened it, the sealed envelope smelled faintly of metal and, upon opening, a bright orange glow revealed a vial of radioactive liquid. She immediately called the police, and the discovery triggered a nationwide investigation into illicit radioactive sales.