DeKalb GA News

Brad Spafford, a 36-year-old resident of Virginia, was taken into custody on December 17 after federal authorities uncovered what they claim is the largest collection of homemade explosives in FBI history. The discovery came during a search of his 20-acre property, where over 150 explosive devices were found, including pipe bombs marked as "lethal."

Spafford is accused of using images of President Joe Biden for target practice and has been described by federal agents as an "extreme danger to the community." His arrest followed an investigation that initially began with a minor charge related to possessing an unregistered short-barrel rifle.

According to an affidavit from an FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force agent, Spafford had previously suffered disfigured fingers due to a homemade explosion on July 4, 2021. The agent also expressed concerns about Spafford's long-term accumulation of weapons and ammunition, labeling him a "clear and present danger."

The criminal complaint reveals further details provided by a confidential human source (CHS), who reported that Spafford had injured his hand while handling a homemade explosive device in July 2021. The CHS noted that Spafford and his associates appeared to be preparing for something beyond individual capabilities. They also mentioned that Spafford produced approximately 50 rounds of ammunition daily.

On May 20, 2023, the CHS accompanied Spafford to a gun range in Suffolk City. Both individuals brought their own firearms, with the CHS suspecting that one of Spafford's rifles was shorter than the legal limit. Additionally, the CHS disclosed information about a "go box" containing various supplies for rapid deployment in emergencies.

Photos sent by Spafford showed several rifles within this "go box," one appearing to be a short-barrel rifle along with other equipment like medical kits and food supplies. Federal law defines such rifles as having barrels shorter than sixteen inches.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) confirmed that there are no tax stamps or registered short-barrel rifles linked to Spafford on file. He reportedly informed the CHS about possessing unregistered firearms due to personal beliefs against registration.

Agent Megan Shumaker from the FBI examined photographs provided by the CHS and concluded based on her expertise that they likely depicted a short-barrel rifle.

In response to these findings, CBS Evening News tweeted: “The FBI found the largest cache of 'finished explosive devices' in the bureau’s history during the arrest of a Virginia man earlier this month. Investigators recovered 'a stockpile of more than 150 homemade improvised explosive devices.'”