WISCONSIN (WFRV) – A Wisconsin man has been sentenced to federal prison after admitting to possessing chemical weapon precursors and threatening to use them against government agents.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, James Morgan—formerly known as Karactus Blome—was sentenced to 29 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of possession of chemical weapon precursors not intended for peaceful purposes.
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Court documents state that on December 21, 2023, the FBI executed a search warrant at Morgan’s storage unit and discovered chemicals that could combine to produce chlorine gas. Morgan had studied chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and had reportedly described himself as a “weapon designer who did not need a conventional weapon.”
In a video, Morgan demonstrated the chemicals and stated they were “making a lot of chlorine very quickly.” Messages from 2022 and 2023 revealed that Morgan discussed the lethality of the gas, shared links for purchasing the chemicals, and laid out a plan to use the gas against federal agents if they came for his firearms—claiming it could be used against as many as 20 agents.
The FBI determined the chemicals in his possession were capable of producing a large quantity of chlorine gas with the potential to cause rapid and serious health effects, including death.
During sentencing, the judge emphasized the “incredibly dangerous nature” of chlorine and the threat Morgan posed.
“The defendant’s conduct posed a serious risk to others and the community as a whole,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Frohling. “This individual spent substantial time discussing and constructing weapons and expressing opposition to law enforcement and individuals whose race, ethnic origin, or backgrounds differed from his.”
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FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Michael Hensle added, “Mr. Morgan obtained commercially available chemicals with an intent to manufacture chemical weapons which could have had a devastating impact to citizens and law enforcement officers in Wisconsin.”
Morgan is already serving a separate two-year sentence for possessing destructive devices.
