The FBI found the largest cache of finished explosive devices in its history during the arrest of Virginia man Brad Spafford earlier this month. Federal prosecutors are seeking to keep Spafford in custody after he was arrested for allegedly possessing an unregistered short barrel rifle. During a search of Spafford’s 20-acre farm, investigators discovered a stockpile of over 150 homemade improvised explosive devices, some of which were assessed to be pipe bombs labeled as “lethal” and preloaded into an apparent wearable vest.
Most of the devices were found in a detached garage, while others were discovered in a backpack in a bedroom that was completely unsecured. Spafford also admitted to keeping an explosive material, HMTD, in a jar in his freezer. The material is so unstable that it can explode due to friction or temperature changes. This raised concerns as the jar was stored next to food items and labeled as dangerous. The investigation began after Spafford’s neighbor reported his stockpiling of weapons and the fact that he had lost three fingers on his right hand due to homemade explosive materials.
The neighbor also reported that Spafford used photos of President Biden for target practice at a local shooting range. Spafford allegedly believed that political assassinations should be brought back and that missing children in the news had been taken by the federal government to be trained as school shooters. After an assassination attempt on President-elect Donald Trump, Spafford reportedly expressed hope that the shooter wouldn’t miss Vice President Kamala Harris. Despite these allegations, Spafford’s attorneys argue that he should be released pending trial, citing his lack of criminal record, substance abuse, or mental illness.
His lawyers state that there is no evidence to suggest that Spafford has threatened anyone and that the idea of someone being in danger due to their political views is nonsensical. They describe Spafford as a hard-working family man with no criminal record. Prosecutors, however, argue that Spafford poses an extreme danger to the community and should remain in custody. The case has raised concerns about the potential threat posed by individuals who hold extreme political views and stockpile weapons and explosive devices. The court will ultimately decide whether Spafford should be released pending trial or if he should remain in custody.
