NORFOLK, Va. — Federal authorities have recently uncovered one of the largest caches of homemade explosives ever seized in U.S. history during the arrest of a Virginia man on firearms charges. According to a court filing by federal prosecutors, the expansive stockpile was discovered last month, highlighting serious implications for public safety.
Investigators reported seizing over 150 pipe bombs and other improvised explosive devices during a search of Brad Spafford’s residence, located northwest of Norfolk, in December. Prosecutors characterized this seizure as the “largest by number of finished explosive devices in FBI history.”
The majority of the explosives were located in a detached garage on the property in Isle of Wight County, alongside various bomb-making tools and materials, including fuses and plastic piping. Notably, several additional apparent pipe bombs were found unsecured in a backpack within the home, where Spafford lives with his wife and two young children.
Spafford, 36, is facing charges related to the unlawful possession of a firearm under the National Firearms Act, including owning an unregistered short-barrel rifle. Authorities indicated that he could face multiple additional charges connected to the explosives.
Defense counsel contends that there is no evidence linking Spafford to planned violent acts, emphasizing his lack of a prior criminal record. They further raised questions about the operability of the explosive devices, highlighting that trained technicians needed to rig the devices for detonation.
The defense stated, “There is not a shred of evidence in the record that Mr. Spafford ever threatened anyone,” describing the argument about potential danger due to personal beliefs as “nonsensical.”
The investigation into Spafford commenced earlier this year, prompted by an informant’s report claiming he was stockpiling weapons and ammunition. This informant disclosed that Spafford had suffered severe hand injuries while working with homemade explosives, noting that he now has only two fingers on his right hand. They also reported disturbing claims about Spafford’s views, including his stated desire for political assassinations.
A significant search operation was executed on December 17 by law enforcement and bomb technicians, resulting in the recovery of the rifle and an array of explosive devices. Many of these devices were marked as “lethal” and some were integrated into a wearable vest. Due to safety concerns, most were detonated on-site, while a select few were retained for further examination.
During a recent hearing, federal Magistrate Judge Lawrence Leonard ruled that Spafford could be placed under house arrest at his mother’s home; however, he remains in custody pending further government arguments.
In response, prosecutors reiterated their stance on Spafford’s potential danger, citing his history of creating explosive devices marked “lethal,” possession of riot gear, and troubling endorsements of political violence.
