ISLE OF WIGHT, Va. (WDBJ) – The FBI seized the largest cache of homemade explosives in its history from a Virginia home, according to recently released court documents.
More than 150 explosive devices, generally characterized as pipe bombs, were found in a home and garage on a 20-acre farm in Isle of Wight earlier this month, according to the documents.
Prosecutors say the discovery was made while investigators were serving a search warrant for an unregistered short barrel rifle believed to be in the possession of the suspect, identified as Brad Spafford. Spafford was arrested on Dec. 17th.
Along with the explosives, investigators reportedly found bomb-making materials such as fuses and pieces of PVC pipe, along with a jar of “HMTD,” a highly-volatile explosive material, inside a freezer next to food. Agents also found extensive lists of explosives and “recipes” for making them, prosecutors said.
In their argument for keeping Spafford detained, prosecutors wrote, “The defendant has used pictures of the President for target practice, expressed support for political assassinations, and recently sought qualifications in sniper-rifle shooting at a local range.”
Authorities say the investigation began in early 2023 when a confidential source reported that Spafford had disfigured his hand while working with a homemade explosive device. The source also told investigators Spafford was stockpiling weapons and homemade ammunition, had explosive devices, and discussed “fortifying” his home with a 360-degree turret for a 50-caliber firearm on the roof.
The source also reported that Spafford “stated that he believed 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,” and that after the assassination attempt of then-Presidential candidate Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, the defendant stated that he hoped the shooter doesn’t miss “Kamala.”
In arguing for his release, Spafford’s attorneys wrote in court documents that prosecutors provided no evidence that Spafford used the gun that was the subject of the original search warrant. They also talked about Spafford’s familial and community ties, adding that “there was no evidence” that he planned to use the explosives or even had the means to.
“There was no evidence that Mr. Spafford did anything other than make some ill-advised comments about the government and political leaders that are not illegal and are protected by the 1st Amendment. Using a likeness of a political leader as a target at a shooting range is a common practice and not a reason to incarcerate someone. The United States’ position that Mr. Spafford is a danger is rank speculation and fear mongering,” Spafford’s attorney’s wrote in a court filing.
Copyright 2024 WDBJ. All rights reserved.
