Federal authorities apprehended a Virginia man last month on a firearms charge, uncovering what they believe to be the largest single seizure of completed explosive devices in FBI history. Prosecutors revealed in a court filing that over 150 pipe bombs and other improvised explosive devices were discovered at the Isle of Wight County residence of Brad Spafford, located northwest of Norfolk.
The December raid yielded a massive cache of explosives, primarily found in a detached garage alongside bomb-making components like fuses and pipe fragments. Disturbingly, several more apparent pipe bombs were located unsecured within a backpack in the bedroom of the home Spafford shares with his wife and two young children.
The 36-year-old Spafford faces charges for possessing an unregistered short-barreled rifle, violating the National Firearms Act. Prosecutors indicate that further charges related to the explosives are anticipated. Spafford's defense team argues that no evidence suggests he planned any violent acts, emphasizing his lack of a criminal history. They also question the functionality of the devices, claiming that explosive experts had to modify them for detonation.
The defense maintains there's no evidence of threats made by Spafford and dismisses any link between his political views and potential danger as "nonsensical." The investigation originated in 2023 with a tip from an informant who claimed Spafford was accumulating weapons and ammunition. The informant, a friend of Spafford, revealed a 2021 hand injury Spafford sustained while handling homemade explosives, resulting in the loss of two fingers on his right hand. According to prosecutors, the informant also alleged Spafford used presidential images (apparently President Biden's) for target practice and advocated for the return of political assassinations.
A December 17 search of Spafford's property uncovered the rifle and explosives, some marked "lethal" and others loaded into a vest. Most devices were detonated on-site due to safety concerns, while some were retained for analysis. While a judge initially considered house arrest at Spafford's mother's residence, he remains in custody pending further arguments from the prosecution, who highlight Spafford's potential danger based on the nature of the explosives, his alleged support for political assassinations, and the use of presidential images for target practice.
