(WFRV) – A Wisconsin man pled guilty on Monday to one count of possessing chemical weapon precursors, which he intended to use to ‘defeat the government if it came for his guns.’
Richard G. Frohling, the Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that James Morgan pled guilty, as he held chemicals which could create chlorine gas with no intent for peaceful use.
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Court documents say that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) initiated a search warrant at his storage unit on December 21, 2023, which revealed the presence of the precursor chemicals.
Morgan previously studied chemistry while at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, describing himself as a ‘weapon designer’ without a need for conventional weaponry. Morgan showed the chemicals on video, saying they were for making high amounts of chlorine at a quick rate.
In addition, he had messages in 2022 that said it was scary, and that the chemicals produce a lot of chlorine gas which “effective if your enemy is not ready for it.” He also sent links for purchasing them, discussing how much was needed to quickly produce a lot of gas.
In 2023, he had promoted plans to ‘defeat the government if it came for his guns,’ doing so by producing a large amount of chlorine he said could be used against roughly 20 government agents.
FBI laboratory officials determined these chemicals could produce high amounts of chlorine that could cause quick and dangerous health effects, including death. Morgan faces up to life in prison with potential fines up to $250,000.
Multiple agencies investigated the case, including the FBI, Janesville and Whitewater Police Departments. Morgan was also convicted in the Western District of Wisconsin for possessing destructive devices.
