The FBI has uncovered the largest cache of homemade explosive devices in its history, leading to the arrest of a Virginia farm owner.
At a Glance
- FBI discovered over 150 homemade explosive devices on a Virginia farm
- Farm owner Brad Spafford arrested for possessing an unregistered short barrel rifle
- Devices included pipe bombs, some labeled “lethal” and preloaded into a wearable vest
- Unstable explosive material found in freezer next to food items
- Prosecutors argue Spafford poses extreme danger to community
Massive Explosive Cache Uncovered
In a shocking discovery, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has seized what it calls the largest cache of “finished explosive devices” in its history. The find occurred during the arrest of Brad Spafford on his 20-acre farm in Virginia on December 17. Spafford was initially taken into custody for allegedly possessing an unregistered short barrel rifle, but what agents found next was unprecedented.
Investigators uncovered a staggering collection of over 150 homemade improvised explosive devices, primarily assessed to be pipe bombs. The majority of these dangerous items were found in a detached garage on the property, along with tools and manufacturing materials including homemade fuses and pieces of PVC pipe.
The FBI found the largest cache of "finished explosive devices" in the bureau's history during the arrest of a Virginia man earlier this month. Investigators recovered "a stockpile of more than 150 homemade improvised explosive devices." https://t.co/xysXdrsbEn pic.twitter.com/b1l9cw2ijZ
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) December 31, 2024
Lethal Devices and Unstable Materials
The severity of the situation became even more apparent as details of the discovery emerged. Some of the pipe bombs were labeled “lethal” and had been preloaded into a wearable vest, suggesting potential for devastating harm. In a disturbing twist, additional pipe bombs were found unsecured in a backpack in the home’s bedroom, with the phrase “#nolivesmatter” written on it, indicating an extremist ideology promoting violence.
“Some of these devices were marked ‘lethal.’ Most of the devices were found in a detached garage, where the FBI also found tools and manufacturing materials, including homemade fuses and pieces of PVC pipe,” the detention memo stated.
Perhaps most alarmingly, Spafford admitted to keeping a jar of HMTD, an unstable explosive material, in his freezer next to food items. This reckless storage of highly volatile substances put not only Spafford but also his family at grave risk.
Origins of the Investigation
The investigation that led to this significant bust began after a neighbor reported Spafford’s stockpiling of weapons and his loss of three fingers, presumably from handling explosive materials. This tip-off alerted authorities to the potential danger lurking on the farm.
“Even after losing his own fingers as a result of his homemade explosive materials, he made the apparent remarkable decision to keep an extraordinarily dangerous explosive material in the home’s freezer next to food items that could be accessed by the entire family,” prosecutors said.
Further investigation revealed disturbing details about Spafford’s activities and ideologies. He allegedly used photos of President Biden for target practice and expressed extreme political views, including support for political assassinations. Prosecutors claim he hoped “the shooter doesn’t miss Kamala,” referring to Vice President Kamala Harris.
Legal Proceedings and Community Safety
Given the scale and nature of the discovery, prosecutors are arguing vehemently for Spafford to remain in custody, citing the extreme danger he poses to the community. They emphasized the risk not only to his family and neighbors but also to pretrial officers who would be tasked with inspecting his residence.
“There is not a shred of evidence in the record that Mr. Spafford ever threatened anyone and the contention that someone might be in danger because of their political views and comments is nonsensical,” his lawyers countered.