- Federal agents seized the largest stockpile of homemade explosives ever seized when they arrested Brad Spafford on firearms charges in Virginia last month, according to a court filing by federal prosecutors. I discovered it.
- Defense attorneys argued in Tuesday's motion that authorities have not presented evidence that he planned violence and also noted that he has no criminal history.
- Investigators seized more than 150 pipe bombs and other homemade devices when they searched the home Spafford shared with his wife and two young children.
Federal agents discovered the largest stockpile of homemade explosives ever seized when they arrested a Virginia man on firearms charges last month, according to a court filing by federal prosecutors.
Prosecutors said in a motion filed Monday that investigators seized more than 150 pipe bombs and other homemade devices when they searched Brad Spafford's northwest Norfolk home in December. said. Prosecutors wrote that this is believed to be “the largest seizure in FBI history in terms of number of completed explosive devices.”
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Most of the bombs were found in the detached garage of the Isle of Wight County home, along with tools and bomb-making materials, including fuses and pieces of plastic pipe, according to court documents. Prosecutors also said that at his home, where he lived with his wife and two young children, he found “several additional suspected pipe bombs in a backpack in his bedroom, completely unsecured.'' was discovered,” he wrote.
A stockpile of homemade explosives that federal agents seized when they arrested Brad Spafford in December 2024 is laid out on a table. (U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, via Associated Press)
Spafford, 36, was charged with possessing a firearm in contravention of the National Firearms Act. Law enforcement officials allege he was in possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle. Prosecutors said he faces “a number of additional charges” related to explosives.
Defense attorneys argued in Tuesday's motion that authorities have not presented evidence that he planned violence and also noted that he has no criminal history. It also questioned whether the explosive device could have been used, as “a professionally trained explosives technician had to adjust the device to detonate it.”
Federal agents seized a cache of explosives and other weapons when they arrested Virginia man Brad Spafford on firearms charges in December 2024. (U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, via Associated Press)
“There is not a single shred of evidence in the record that Mr. Spafford ever threatened anyone, and any claim that anyone could be in danger because of his political views or comments is nonsense,” the attorneys wrote.
Messages seeking further comment were left Wednesday with defense attorneys Lawrence Woodward and Jerry Swartz, who signed the motion.
The rifle that federal agents seized when they arrested Brad Spafford in December 2024 was measured. (U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, via Associated Press)
The investigation began in 2023 when an informant told authorities that Spafford was stockpiling weapons and ammunition, according to court documents. A friend and informant told authorities that Spafford injured his hand in 2021 while working with homemade explosives. Prosecutors said he only had two fingers on his right hand. The informant told authorities that Spafford used a photo of the president, apparently referring to President Joe Biden, in target training and that he believed “political assassinations should be reinstated.” '', prosecutors wrote.
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Numerous law enforcement officers and bomb disposal technicians searched the premises on December 17th. Investigators found rifles and explosives, some of which were hand-labeled “lethal” and some of which were loaded into wearable vests, court documents show. . state. Some of the devices were kept for analysis, but it was deemed unsafe for transport, so technicians detonated most of them at the scene.
At a hearing Tuesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence Leonard agreed to release Mr. Spafford to possible house arrest at his mother's home, but to keep him in custody while the government presents further arguments. I decided that.
In response, prosecutors reiterated why they believe Mr. Spafford is dangerous, saying, “While he is not known to have committed any overt acts of violence,'' It is certain that they have shown an interest in similar activities through the production of pipe bombs.” These include wearing riot gear and vests loaded with pipe bombs, supporting political assassinations, and using photos of the president for target practice. ”
