A Wisconsin man was sentenced to 29 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing chemicals used to create chlorine gas for non-peaceful purposes. The sentencing, delivered by United States District Judge Brett Ludwig on August 1, 2025, follows an investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
James Morgan, who previously went by Karactus Blome, admitted to violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 229(a), which prohibits possession of chemical weapon precursors not intended for peaceful use. Court records state that on December 21, 2023, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Morgan’s storage unit and found precursor chemicals capable of producing large amounts of chlorine gas.
Morgan had studied chemistry at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and described himself as a weapon designer. In videos and messages from 2022 and 2023 presented in court documents, Morgan showed the chemicals he had acquired and discussed plans to use them against law enforcement if government agents attempted to confiscate his firearms. He also sent links about purchasing such chemicals and detailed how they could be combined quickly to generate chlorine gas with potentially lethal effects.
The FBI Laboratory concluded that the chemicals in Morgan’s possession could produce enough chlorine gas to cause rapid health consequences or death. According to prosecutors, Morgan expressed opposition toward law enforcement as well as individuals of different racial or ethnic backgrounds.
Judge Ludwig emphasized during sentencing the serious threat posed by chlorine gas and highlighted the need for deterrence in cases involving chemical weapons. “The defendant’s conduct posed a serious risk to others and the community as a whole,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard G. 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. I commend the hard work and collaboration of everyone involved in seeking to hold him accountable for his criminal activity.”
FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Michael Hensle stated: “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,” adding that Morgan is already serving a two-year sentence for possessing destructive devices. Hensle continued: “The Milwaukee Field Office of the FBI will continue to work aggressively with our partners to prevent the acquisition and use of weapons of mass destruction.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Scully prosecuted this case with support from Trial Attorney Justin Sher from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
