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The FBI has announced its largest seizure of homemade explosives in its history following the arrest of a Virginia man who had more than 150 pipe bombs and other materials at his farm.
What’s the deal: According to the FBI, Brad Spafford, a 36-year-old man from Isle of Wight County, Virginia, was arrested after authorities discovered the largest stockpile of homemade explosives in the agency’s history on his 20-acre farm. The investigation began earlier in the year when a neighbor, who previously worked in law enforcement, alerted authorities about Spafford’s activities. The neighbor reported that Spafford was stockpiling weapons and had lost three fingers while handling a homemade explosive device. This tip, combined with evidence of extremist rhetoric and weapon stockpiling, prompted the FBI to secure a search warrant for his property.
When law enforcement officers searched Spafford’s farm, they uncovered over 150 explosive devices, primarily pipe bombs, stored in unsecured locations across the property. A detached garage housed most of the explosives, which were meticulously sorted and labeled “lethal,” while additional devices were found in a backpack inside a bedroom. Investigators also discovered bomb-making materials, including PVC pipes, fuses, and a highly explosive compound known as hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD). The HMTD, which is so unstable it can explode from friction or temperature changes, was stored close to food in a freezer, with handwritten labels warning “Dangerous” and “Do Not Touch.” Some of the explosive devices were also loaded into wearable vests, adding to the gravity of the discovery.
In addition to the bombs, agents found lists of recipes for making other explosives, riot gear, and materials for fortifying the property, such as plans for a 360-degree turret and barriers for the driveway.
Digging deeper: Investigators have also uncovered evidence pointing to Spafford’s beliefs. Spafford reportedly expressed approval for political assassinations, using photographs of President Joe Biden for target practice and making statements supporting violence against public figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris. He also made claims that missing children were being abducted by the government to be trained as school shooters.
Spafford’s lawyer reacts: In a court filing, a lawyer for Spafford said, “There was no evidence that Mr. Spafford did anything other than make some ill-advised comments about the government and political leaders that are not illegal and are protected by the 1st Amendment. Using a likeness of a political leader as a target at a shooting range is a common practice and not a reason to incarcerate someone. The United States’ position that Mr. Spafford is a danger is rank speculation and fear mongering.”
