Janesville Man Faces Life in Prison After Admitting to Chemical Weapons Plot Against Federal Agents

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – (Civic Media) – A Janesville man faces up to life in prison after admitting to possessing chemicals to create chlorine gas, which he allegedly threatened to use against federal agents attempting to seize his firearms.

James Morgan, 32, pleaded guilty April 21 in Milwaukee federal court to one count of possessing ‘chemical weapon precursors’.

Prosecutors say Morgan, who previously pleaded guilty in 2024 to possessing six homemade pipe bombs, discussed plans in 2023 to defeat government officials by producing chlorine gas capable of targeting approximately 20 agents.

The FBI discovered the chemicals in his storage unit during a December 2023 search, alongside pipe bombs. During that trial, prosecutors said his social media posting history included racist threats and talk about building militias.

Morgan, a former University of Wisconsin-Whitewater chemistry student who described himself as a “weapon designer,” posted a video displaying the chemicals and shared purchasing links online. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 1.

Prosecutors say the case involved collaboration between the FBI, Janesville Police Department, and Whitewater Police Department.