An FBI raid of a Virginia home uncovered a stockpile of more than 150 homemade explosive devices , the largest the agency has encountered in its history. Federal prosecutors are now asking that the alleged owner of the explosives, Brad Spafford, remain in custody following a search of his home.
Spafford was arrested on Dec. 17 for allegedly having an unregistered short-barrel rifle.
However, the investigation into Spafford began after a neighbor tipped off authorities that he was stockpiling weapons and ammunition. The neighbor also told investigators that Spafford had told them he lost several fingers during an accident involving a homemade bomb in 2021.
Prosecutors said when FBI agents executed a search warrant in December at Spafford’s 20-acre property, they found pipe bombs, an instruction book for building explosives, and hazardous materials in areas his family could easily access.
Court documents indicate that Spafford labeled some of the bombs “lethal,” while others were already loaded into a vest.