The FBI has uncovered what it calls the largest stockpile of explosives in its history and arrested the Virginia man who allegedly made them.
Virginia man has huge stash of explosives
Court documents describe the record-breaking cache as including 150 explosive devices located on Spafford’s property, a sprawling 20-acre farm in Isle of Wight County.
He lived there with his two young children, where the authorities discovered “unsecured” pipe bombs stashed in various parts of the property, including a bedroom in the home.
Several more pipe bombs were discovered in a backpack within the house and were described as being “completely unsecured,” despite the presence of Spafford’s young children.
Some devices labeled as “lethal” were located inside a barn and most of the explosives were found inside a detached garage.
According to official records, the garage contained tools and materials needed for manufacturing such bombs, like homemade fuses and PVC pipe pieces.
Agents reported that the cache had been “preliminarily assessed as the largest seizure by number of finished explosive devices in FBI history.”
Investigators also discovered a dangerously volatile explosive called HMTD. This substance, labeled “Dangerous” and “Do Not Touch,” was found stored in Spafford’s freezer, which was accessible to his children.
According to federal agents, HMTD is “so unstable it can be exploded merely as a result of friction or temperature changes.”
The freezer reportedly contained this hazardous material alongside food items. It was marked: “Dangerous” and “Do not touch.”
FBI had to detonate several devices on the scene
The FBI stated that some of these devices were “too unstable to transport and maintain,” prompting bomb technicians to detonate them on-site.
Other devices were taken to a lab for analysis and were noted as capable of causing “property damage, personal injury, and/or death.”
Handwritten bomb-making “recipes” found in notebooks were also collected as evidence in the probe.
Spafford came under FBI scrutiny due to a tip-off from a neighbor who had been a friend-turned-informant.
Court documents reveal that this confidential source reported Spafford had disfigured his hand in 2021 while handling a homemade explosive device.
Additionally, the informant noted Spafford’s growing weapons arsenal and homemade ammunition stockpile.
The court documents allege Spafford once used pictures of the President for target practice. He had also reportedly voiced support for political violence, noting his approval for assassinations.
Following an attempt on Donald Trump’s life during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Spafford allegedly told the neighbor that he “hoped the shooter doesn’t miss Kamala,” referencing Vice President Kamala Harris.
Virginia man wanted to defend his farm
The report further highlights Spafford’s troubling activities, including his efforts to bolster his property’s defenses.
He allegedly admitted to possessing an unregistered short-barrel rifle, stating he didn’t believe in firearm registration laws.
Furthermore, Spafford reportedly told an FBI informant about plans to mount a 50-caliber firearm that could rotate 360 degrees, which he would use to fire at perceived intruders.
On December 10, the government charged Spafford with one count of possession of a firearm under the National Firearms Act.
The Department of Justice is arguing for Spafford to remain detained ahead of his trial, citing the significant threat his activities pose.
Spafford’s lawyer, however, contends that his client had no intention of committing any crimes and is advocating for his release.
“There is not a shred of evidence in the record that Mr. Spafford ever threatened anyone and the contention that someone might be in danger because of their political views and comments is nonsensical,” his attorneys said in a filing.
“He has ‘no criminal record and no history of substance abuse or mental illness,” the added.
Despite these defenses, a judge has upheld the charges and ruled against Spafford’s release, and kept him behind bars.
