A man from Virginia has admitted to federal charges after being implicated in hoarding the largest cache of completed explosives ever recorded by the FBI. He was accused of making menacing remarks about politicians, and he has now pleaded guilty to possessing an unregistered short barrel rifle and unregistered destructive devices.
Authorities seized around 150 pipe bombs and other explosive devices from Brad Spafford’s home near Norfolk last fall, according to court documents.
Prosecutors also claimed that Spafford used a photograph of former President Joe Biden for shooting practice. Furthermore, it was alleged that he expressed support for the return of political assassinations and remarked after the failed assassination attempt on President Donald Trump, “Bro, I hope the shooter doesn’t miss Kamala,” as per an informant.
The man was accused of making threatening statements about both former President Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Spafford has remained in custody since his arrest in December, when a judge ruled he had “shown the capacity for extreme danger.”
He originally pleaded not guilty in January, and his defense argued he should be released because he had a steady job and no criminal record.
Spafford, who is married with two young daughters, lost three fingers in a homemade explosives accident in 2021, the judge noted.
This image provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Virginia shows a rifle seized when authorities arrested Brad Spafford, a Virginia man, on a weapons charge in December 2024. (U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Virginia via AP)
Spafford could face 10 years in prison on each charge and is scheduled to be sentenced in December.
