Prosecutors believe that this seizure, carried out in the state of Virginia, is the “largest in the history of the FBI”.
American investigators have seized more than 150 homemade bombs and other explosives from the home of Virginia resident Brad Spaffordin December, in what would be the largest seizure of explosive devices in FBI history.
The discovery was made after Brad Spafford’s arrest for gun possession, when federal agents searched his home. Most of the explosives were found in a garage, along with materials and tools used to make bombs, according to a court filing by federal prosecutors.
In a motion filed Monday, prosecutors said “several other apparent pipe bombs were found in a backpack in the bedroom of the home, without any security”in the home he shares with his wife and two young children.
In a motion filed Tuesday, Brad Spafford’s defense attorneys said no evidence suggests he planned violent acts, pointing to his clean criminal record and questioning the functionality of the seized explosives.
They also said there was no indication their client had ever threatened anyone.
Many explosive devices labeled as ‘deadly’
The investigation began in 2023 after an informant reported that Brad Spafford was stockpiling guns and ammunition. According to court documents, the informant, a friend of the suspect, revealed that the latter had injured his hand in 2021 while working on homemade explosives, leaving only two fingers on his right hand.
The informant also revealed that Brad Spafford used photos of President Joe Biden for shooting practice and that he supported political assassinations.
On December 17, numerous law enforcement officers and bomb technicians searched Spafford’s property. They discovered the rifle and explosive devices, some hand-labeled as “deadly” and others loaded in a bulletproof vest.
Most of the devices were triggered on site for safety reasons, while others were kept for analysis.
Prosecutors say Brad Spafford is dangerous, writing that “although he is not known to have engaged in any apparent acts of violence, he certainly showed an interest in such acts, making bombs marked “lethal”, possessing riot gear and a vest loaded with pipe bombs, supporting political assassinations, and using the president’s photos for target practice.”.
