Court documents reveal that a man from Virginia was arrested last month following the discovery of what the Federal Bureau of Investigation termed as the largest seizure of explosive devices in the agency’s history. Brad Spafford, 36, of Isle of Wight, Virginia, was taken into custody on Dec. 17 after federal agents found over 150 potential explosive devices on Spafford’s farm east of Newport News, Virginia. Initial charges against Spafford include unlawful possession of an unregistered short-barrel rifle, carrying a possible 10-year prison sentence. However, he faces additional charges for possession of unregistered destructive devices, as stated by assistant U.S. attorney Rebecca Gantt. Prosecutors argue that the imposed conditions for Spafford’s release, such as confinement to his mother’s home with electronic monitoring, are insufficient to mitigate the risks he poses to public safety. Spafford will remain in custody pending a decision on the U.S. attorney’s office’s appeal, with no hearing date scheduled yet. The arrest stemmed from a two-year investigation during which a confidential source informed the FBI about Spafford’s possession of weapons and homemade ammunition. The source relayed Spafford’s statements regarding his involvement with explosive devices, including an incident resulting in the loss of three fingers from his hand. Spafford allegedly expressed disturbing views on political figures and endorsed violent acts. Furthermore, he reportedly kept dangerous explosive materials accessible to his family and discussed plans for firearms installations. Despite Spafford initially denying the presence of explosive materials during the search warrant, investigators discovered a significant number of explosive devices in a detached garage on his property.
Prosecutors have revealed that the individual in question was engaged in manufacturing explosives, a homemade mortar, and riot gear, with additional pipe bombs discovered in an unsecured state within a backpack located in the home’s bedroom. The prosecutors’ documentation featured imagery of the rifle, explosives, and the backpack, which notably bore a patch reading “No Lives Matter.” In an August 2024 bulletin issued by the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, it was highlighted that “No Lives Matter” constitutes an extremist ideology that advocates for targeted attacks, mass violence, and criminal behavior, while also historically promoting self-harm and animal abuse among its members.
The FBI investigation also brought to light the presence of a notebook containing instructions for creating explosive materials and devices, such as grenades, alongside detailed lists of materials suitable for manufacturing such items. Authorities reported that the FBI’s explosive unit took necessary precautions by detonating most of the materials and devices on-site due to their precarious stability, deeming it unsafe for transportation and storage. Among the analyzed devices was one designed with metal spheres intended to fragment upon detonation, causing additional harm and destruction, as outlined in the legal filing.
Although defense attorneys representing Spafford argued in court filings that he has not been formally charged with any violent offenses, prosecutors emphasized that his documented activities and possessions demonstrate a clear predisposition towards violence. Prosecutors asserted that Spafford possesses the knowledge, resources, and a strong inclination towards manufacturing and hoarding improvised explosive devices, presenting a significant risk to public safety.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case has sparked public interest and concern, prompting discussions on social media platforms. To stay updated on trending news stories and developments, readers are encouraged to follow Mike Snider on X and Threads, accessible through @mikesnider and mikegsnider. For a curated selection of the latest news updates, readers can subscribe to our trending newsletter to receive daily updates.
This report was originally published by USA TODAY, highlighting the significant seizure of explosive devices in FBI history that transpired in Virginia, underscoring the critical importance of ongoing counterterrorism efforts and law enforcement vigilance.
