NORFOLK, Va. (AP) Brad Spafford, a 36-year-old man from Virginia, is facing serious legal challenges after being accused of stockpiling more explosives than any other individual in FBI history. Federal authorities have charged him with possessing an unregistered short-barrel rifle and he may also face additional charges related to the large quantity of homemade explosives that were discovered during a search of his home in Isle of Wight County.
The FBI conducted the search in December 2023, resulting in the seizure of over 150 pipe bombs and other homemade explosive devices. According to prosecutors, many of these dangerous items were located in a detached garage along with various bomb-making materials such as fuses and plastic pipes. Notably, some of the devices were found in a backpack labeled with the phrase “#nolivesmatter.” The investigation began earlier in the year when an informant alerted authorities about Spafford's weapon stockpiling, mentioning his use of President Joe Biden’s photo for target practice and his alleged belief in reinstating political assassinations.
In a ruling from U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen, it was determined that Spafford must remain in jail until his trial. The judge expressed concerns about Spafford's potential danger to both his community and family, noting his history of disregarding government regulations regarding firearms. Court documents indicate that Spafford previously lost three fingers in a homemade explosives accident in 2021, a fact that the defense did not contest.
Spafford's defense lawyers argued that there is no substantial evidence suggesting that he planned any acts of violence. Pointing out that he has a steady job as a machinist and no prior criminal record, they emphasized that authorities have not proven that the explosives were capable of being used without professional intervention. They characterized the claims of danger related to his political views as “nonsensical,” insisting that Spafford never threatened anyone.
Despite the defense's assertions, prosecutors maintained that Spafford's collection of explosives, including devices labeled as “lethal” and the discovery of a bomb-laden vest, indicate a serious risk. Prosecutors highlighted that the sheer volume of the stockpiled explosives was unprecedented, leading the judge to question how safe it would be to release him back into society. In her detailed ruling, Judge Allen stated, “The degree of danger that Mr. Spafford posed to his own family and community was extreme,” emphasizing that the magnitude of his arsenal set his case apart from others.
At a recent court hearing, federal Magistrate Judge Lawrence Leonard considered the possibility of allowing Spafford to be placed under house arrest at his mother’s home, but ultimately decided to keep him detained while further arguments from the government are awaited. Though prosecutors acknowledged that Spafford had not been known to engage in any apparent acts of violence, they argued that his actions, statements, and explosive materials indicate a clear threat.
As the case unfolds, the defense is pushing back on the considerations for his detention, while the prosecution is focused on highlighting the enormity of the threats posed by Spafford's stockpile. The legal proceedings around this case are ongoing, with federal authorities taking a strong stance due to the unprecedented scale of the discovered explosives.
