Brad Spafford, a 36-year-old resident of Norfolk, Virginia, was arrested on December 17th, 2024, following an FBI investigation triggered by a concerned neighbor’s tip. The investigation uncovered a staggering cache of over 150 homemade explosive devices on Spafford’s farm, described by the FBI as the largest in the agency’s history. The arsenal, primarily consisting of pipe bombs, some marked “lethal,” was found in a detached garage alongside bomb-making materials. Additional explosives were discovered unsecured in a backpack within the residence. Adding to the alarming discovery, a jar containing the highly volatile explosive HMTD was found in Spafford’s freezer, stored casually alongside everyday food items. Spafford was also found in possession of an unregistered 10-inch short-barrel rifle. This combination of weaponry and extremist ideologies painted a disturbing picture for investigators.
The investigation into Spafford commenced in early 2024 after a neighbor, a former law enforcement officer, reported Spafford’s previous injury involving a homemade explosive device in 2021, where he lost three fingers on his right hand. The neighbor also reported seeing Spafford with the unregistered short-barrel rifle and expressed concerns about Spafford’s statements regarding ammunition production and preparations for an unspecified event with others. These concerns intensified with the discovery of a “No Lives Matter” patch on Spafford’s backpack, an ideology linked to violence and extremism by the Department of Homeland Security. This, coupled with Spafford’s alleged statements about presidential assassinations and his use of President Biden’s photos for target practice, raised serious red flags for investigators.
Further deepening the investigation were Spafford’s alleged remarks following a foiled assassination attempt against then-President-elect Donald Trump in July 2024. Spafford allegedly expressed hope that the perpetrator wouldn’t miss then-Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. In October 2024, the neighbor visited Spafford’s farm equipped with a recording device. During the recorded conversation, Spafford allegedly admitted to not registering his rifle due to his disbelief in registration, discussed possessing various explosives, and detailed plans to fortify his property with a turret-mounted 50-caliber rifle. He also allegedly revealed having HMTD and ETN, both highly dangerous explosives, stored on the property, even admitting to his wife that a jar labeled “dangerous” in the freezer contained HMTD, accessible to both her and their children.
The execution of a search warrant on Spafford’s property in early December 2024 confirmed the neighbor’s alarming reports. The sheer volume of explosive devices discovered, along with bomb-making materials like homemade fuses and PVC pipes, underscored the potential danger Spafford posed. The haphazard storage of HMTD in the freezer further highlighted a disregard for safety. Beyond the physical evidence, investigators also unearthed a notebook containing bomb-making “recipes” for explosives like HMTD, C-4, and grenades, further solidifying the gravity of the situation. This collection of evidence painted a disturbing picture of a potentially dangerous individual with access to a significant arsenal and apparent extremist leanings.
Following his arrest, Spafford appeared in a Norfolk court on charges of unlawful possession of an unregistered short-barrel rifle. Prosecutors portrayed Spafford as an “anti-government extremist” and argued that he posed a significant threat to the community. Spafford’s defense attorney countered these arguments, claiming ignorance of any specific threats made by her client and highlighting that the neighbor had not witnessed Spafford building or detonating any explosives. Despite the prosecution’s concerns, Judge Lawrence Leonard set Spafford’s bond at $25,000, releasing him into the custody of his mother under electronic monitoring and travel restrictions. Spafford also surrendered his passport.
While Spafford’s initial charge focused on the unregistered rifle, the discovery of the vast explosives cache and the concerning details surrounding his alleged extremist views raise questions about the potential for further charges. The investigation underscores the importance of community vigilance and the potential dangers posed by individuals harboring extremist ideologies and access to dangerous materials. The case remains under scrutiny as authorities continue to assess the full extent of Spafford’s activities and the potential threat he posed. The possibility of additional charges related to the explosives remains open, leaving the future legal ramifications for Spafford uncertain.
