The FBI has made the largest seizure of homemade bombs in history, discovering more than 150 explosive devices at a Virginia farm, according to court documents released this week.
The case began after the FBI received information from a neighbor, reporting that the farm owner was stockpiling homemade weapons and ammunition.
The farm’s owner, Brad Spafford, 36, is currently in custody. According to court records, Spafford worked at a machine shop and used a picture of President Joe Biden for shooting practice. He also expressed support for political assassinations.
FBI agents discovered multiple explosive devices, including pipe bombs, hidden in a backpack in the bedroom of the home Spafford shared with his wife and two young children. Notably, in the family's freezer, they found a vial of HMTD — an extremely unstable explosive — stored with food and labeled "Do Not Touch."
Further investigation revealed that the FBI had found a notebook containing “recipes” for making explosive devices, including grenades. A neighbor also revealed that Spafford had discussed fortifying the house by installing “a 360-degree rotating turret for a .50 caliber gun on the roof.”
Spafford has been charged with unlawful possession of a rifle, but prosecutors say he could face additional charges related to the homemade bombs. Each explosives charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
In another legal document filed on December 31, Spafford's defense attorneys described him as "a hard-working family man with no criminal record" and asked the court to consider granting their client bail.
