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NORFOLK, Va. – Federal agents uncovered one of the largest collections of homemade explosives ever seized in FBI history during the arrest of a Virginia man on firearms charges last month, according to federal prosecutors.
Investigators discovered over 150 pipe bombs and other improvised explosive devices at the home of Brad Spafford in Isle of Wight County, northwest of Norfolk, in December. In a court motion filed Monday, prosecutors described it as “the largest seizure by number of finished explosive devices in FBI history.”
Most of the devices were located in a detached garage on the property, along with tools and bomb-making materials such as fuses and plastic pipe components, according to court records. Prosecutors also noted that several additional pipe bombs were found unsecured in a backpack in the home’s bedroom, which Spafford shares with his wife and two young children.
Case Details and Related Incidents
Spafford, 36, was initially charged with possessing an unregistered short-barreled rifle, a violation of the National Firearms Act. Prosecutors indicated that additional charges related to the explosives are likely.
Defense attorneys argued Tuesday that there is no evidence Spafford planned any acts of violence. They emphasized that Spafford has no prior criminal record and questioned whether the seized explosives were even functional. They noted that “professionally trained explosive technicians had to rig the devices to detonate.”
“There is no evidence that Mr. Spafford ever made threats against anyone, and any suggestion that someone might be endangered due to their political views is unfounded,” the defense motion stated.
Lawrence Woodward and Jerry Swartz, Spafford’s attorneys, did not respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.
How the Investigation Began
The investigation began in 2023 after a tip from an informant—a friend of Spafford—alerted authorities to his stockpiling of weapons and ammunition. The informant revealed that Spafford had severely injured his hand in 2021 while working on homemade explosives and now only has two fingers on his right hand. The tip also alleged that Spafford used images of President Joe Biden for target practice and expressed support for political assassinations.
On December 17, law enforcement officers and bomb technicians searched Spafford’s property. Along with the rifle, they found explosive devices labeled as “lethal,” some of which were loaded into a wearable vest. Most of the devices were deemed too dangerous to transport and were detonated on-site, though some were retained for analysis.
Court Proceedings
At a hearing on Tuesday, Federal Magistrate Judge Lawrence Leonard ruled that Spafford could be released to house arrest at his mother’s residence. However, he ordered that Spafford remain in custody while prosecutors file further arguments.
Prosecutors reiterated their concerns, citing Spafford’s manufacturing of pipe bombs labeled as “lethal,” his possession of riot gear and bomb-laden vests, and his expressed interest in political violence. Despite having no known history of violence, prosecutors argued that his actions and rhetoric posed a significant threat.
The investigation remains ongoing.
