April 2025 – Hadley, MA — A Hadley man with a long criminal history involving explosives and radioactive substances has been indicted by a federal grand jury for illegally possessing ammunition and explosive materials. The case has triggered serious public safety concerns after officials seized plutonium and other hazardous materials from his home.
Jacob D. Miller, 43, was formally charged with one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition and one count of being a felon in possession of explosive materials, according to a release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
On April 8, 2025, authorities executed a search warrant at Miller’s residence, recovering approximately 50 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition, six firearms, explosive powders, and a range of hazardous substances, including plutonium. The FBI and Massachusetts State Police led the operation, which revealed a disturbing stockpile of radioactive and chemical materials, many stored in residential living areas.
According to court documents, Miller’s interest in dangerous substances dates back over two decades. In 2002, a prior search of his home uncovered military-style equipment, bomb-making materials, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). He was later convicted in state court for possession of explosive devices and child pornography. These convictions made him ineligible to legally possess firearms, ammunition, or explosives under federal law.
Despite previous legal interventions, Miller allegedly continued dangerous activities. In 2014, the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program issued a cease-and-desist letter after he was found selling depleted uranium online. By 2017, he had launched “Collect the Periodic Table,” a website through which he reportedly sold radioactive elements, including Plutonium-239, allegedly sourced from Cold War-era Soviet smoke detectors. Court filings suggest that PayPal records and other documentation recovered in 2025 confirm multiple transactions involving plutonium.
Federal investigators also allege that Miller directed the purchase of five pounds of black powder in 2023, later used to detonate objects in his backyard. Chemical remnants and high-risk substances including alkali metals, oxidizers, acids, and arsenic were documented in the 2025 search. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has since been ordered to oversee removal of these materials due to the public safety risks posed.
Miller is currently in federal custody pending a decision on pretrial detention. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison on each count, along with fines of up to $250,000 and supervised release.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley and FBI Boston Division Acting Special Agent in Charge James Crowley. The investigation was supported by the Hadley Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow is prosecuting the case.
Sources:
- U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts – justice.gov
- Official court filings and DOJ public records
