- Federal agents found one of the largest stocks of homemade explosives they have ever seized when they arrested Brad Spafford in Virginia on firearms charges last month, according to a court filing filed by federal prosecutors.
- Defense attorneys argued in a memorandum Tuesday that authorities had not presented evidence that he was planning violence, also noting that he had no criminal record.
- Investigators seized more than 150 pipe bombs and other homemade devices when they searched the home that Spafford shared with his wife and two young children.
Federal agents found one of the largest stocks of homemade explosives they have ever seized A Virginia man was arrested on a firearms charge last month, according to a court filing filed by federal prosecutors.
Investigators seized more than 150 pipe bombs and other homemade devices when they searched Brad Spafford's northwest Norfolk home in December, prosecutors said in a warrant filed Monday. Prosecutors wrote that this is believed to be “the largest seizure in terms of number of ready explosive devices in FBI history.”
One dead after an electronic truck explodes outside the Las Vegas Trump Hotel
Most of the bombs were found in a detached garage at the house on the Isle of Wight, along with… Tools and materials used to make bombs Including valves and pieces of plastic pipe, according to court documents. “Several additional pipe bombs were found in a backpack in the bedroom of the residence, completely unsecured” in the home he shared with his wife and two young children, prosecutors also wrote.
A stockpile of homemade explosives that federal agents seized when they arrested Brad Spafford in December 2024 was laid out on a table. (U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia via AP)
Spafford, 36, was charged with possession of a firearm in violation of the National Firearms Act. Law enforcement officers allege he possessed an unregistered short-barreled shotgun. Prosecutors said he faces “several potential additional charges” related to the explosives.
Defense attorneys argued in a memorandum Tuesday that authorities had not presented evidence that he was planning violence, also noting that he had no criminal record. Furthermore, they question whether the explosive devices were usable because “professionally trained explosives technicians had to prepare the devices for detonation.”
Federal agents seized a stockpile of explosives and other weapons when they arrested Brad Spafford, a Virginia man, on firearms charges in December 2024. (U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia via AP)
“There is no evidence in the record that Mr. Spafford ever threatened anyone, and the allegation that someone might be in danger because of his political views and comments is nonsensical,” the defense attorneys wrote.
Messages were left Wednesday seeking further comment from the defense attorneys who signed the motion, Lawrence Woodward and Jerry Swartz.
A rifle seized by federal agents when they arrested Brad Spafford in December 2024 is measured. (U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia via AP)
The investigation began in 2023 when an informant told authorities that Spafford was storing guns and ammunition, according to court documents. The informant, a friend, told authorities that Spafford mutilated his hand in 2021 while working on homemade explosives. Prosecutors said he only had two fingers on his right hand. The informant told authorities that Spafford had been using photos of the president, in an apparent reference to President Joe Biden, for target practice and that he “believes… Political assassinations “They must be returned,” prosecutors wrote.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Several law enforcement officers and bomb technicians searched the property on December 17. Agents found the gun and explosive devices, some of which were manually labeled “lethal” and some of which were loaded into a wearable vest, according to court documents. state. Technicians blew up most of the devices at the site because they were deemed unsafe to transport, although many were preserved for analysis.
At a hearing Tuesday, federal Judge Lawrence Leonard ruled that Spafford could be released and placed on house arrest at his mother's home, but agreed to keep him detained while the government presents further arguments.
In response, prosecutors reiterated why they believe Spafford is dangerous, writing that “although he is not known to have engaged in any apparent acts of violence, he certainly expressed an interest in doing so, through his manufacture of pipe bombs marked 'Deadly,' and his possession of “. From riot gear, a vest loaded with pipe bombs, his support for political assassinations, and the use of pictures of the president for target practice.
