Federal agents recently uncovered one of the largest stashes of homemade explosives ever seen in an FBI investigation, during the arrest of Brad Spafford, a 36-year-old man from Smithfield, Virginia. Spafford was initially charged with possessing an illegal firearm, but the shocking discovery on his 20-acre farm in Isle of Wight County could lead to many more charges.
When agents searched Spafford’s property in December, they found over 150 pipe bombs and other explosive devices inside a detached garage. Alongside the bombs, they discovered tools and materials for making explosives, such as fuses and plastic pipes. Court documents revealed that riot gear and bomb-making equipment were also stored there. In one particularly alarming find, a backpack in a bedroom held even more pipe bombs and was emblazoned with a picture of a grenade and the hashtag “#NOLIVESMATTER.”
One discovery raised even more concern: a jar labeled “Dangerous” and “Do Not Touch,” which was kept in a freezer alongside food. This jar contained an unstable material that could explode with a slight temperature change. Investigators also seized a notebook detailing an inventory of Spafford’s explosive devices and instructions for making them.
Spafford, who works at a machine shop in Portsmouth, is currently held at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk. While he was charged with owning an unregistered short-barrel rifle, prosecutors said additional charges related to the explosives are likely.
His defense attorneys argue that Spafford has no history of violence or criminal activity. In a motion, they stated there’s no proof he intended to harm anyone, pointing out that trained technicians had to rig the devices to safely detonate them. They also dismissed claims about his political views, saying there’s no evidence linking him to threats or planned violence.
The investigation into Spafford started back in January 2023 when a neighbor, who is also a former law enforcement officer, tipped off authorities. The neighbor reported that Spafford had once lost three fingers while handling a homemade explosive and claimed he was stockpiling weapons. According to the neighbor, Spafford said he was preparing for something he couldn’t do alone and admitted to making 50 rounds of homemade ammunition daily.
The neighbor also mentioned that Spafford used President Joe Biden’s photo for target practice and supported political assassinations. After an attempted assassination on President-elect Donald Trump in July, Spafford reportedly said he hoped Vice President Kamala Harris would be targeted next. The neighbor further alleged that Spafford believed the government was abducting children to train them as school shooters.
On December 17, law enforcement and bomb experts conducted a thorough search of Spafford’s property. Along with the rifle and bombs, they found some devices labeled “lethal” and even a vest equipped with pipe bombs. Due to the dangerous nature of the explosives, most were detonated on-site, though some were kept for analysis.
At a recent hearing, Judge Lawrence Leonard considered releasing Spafford under house arrest at his mother’s home. However, the judge decided to keep him in custody for now, as prosecutors argued he remains a threat. They cited the pipe bombs, riot gear, and Spafford’s apparent interest in political violence as reasons for their concern.
This case has drawn significant attention not just for the sheer number of explosive devices involved but also for the troubling details about Spafford’s activities and beliefs. Investigators are continuing to examine the evidence, and more charges could follow.