FBI Confiscates ‘150 pipe bombs’ in Biggest Ever Bust
The US Department of Justice is opposing the release of a 36-year-old man from Virginia, whose residence was subjected to a raid in mid-December. Read Full Article at RT.com
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Prosecutors argue that a 36-year-old man from Virginia had a photograph of President Joe Biden for "target practice."
The U.S. Department of Justice is opposing the release of Brad Spafford, whose home was raided in mid-December, leading federal prosecutors to label it the “largest seizure of homemade explosives in FBI history.”
Spafford was arrested at his farm in Smithfield on December 17, following a raid prompted by a criminal complaint alleging his possession of an unregistered short-barrel rifle.
FBI agents discovered a significant cache of explosives during their search, with some labeled as “lethal,” primarily located in a detached garage. Others were reportedly “preloaded into an apparent wearable vest.” Additionally, devices were found in a backpack in his bedroom, which had a hand grenade patch and the phrase “#NoLivesMatter.”
In court filings and testimony, a detective with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force informed a federal judge that Spafford held anti-government beliefs and desired to “bring back political assassinations,” as reported by Court Watch. Court documents also disclosed that he maintained a jar in his freezer marked “Dangerous” and “Do Not Touch,” which reportedly housed unstable explosive material. Counterterrorism agents located a notebook containing bomb-making recipes.
Prosecutors indicated that further charges are forthcoming and that Spafford’s arrest resulted in the “largest seizure of finished explosive devices in FBI history.”
An investigation into Spafford began in 2021 when an informant alerted authorities to an incident where Spafford allegedly injured his hand while handling a homemade explosive device, along with claims about his stockpiling of weapons and ammunition.
At a recent hearing, Spafford's attorneys contended that he should not be held in detention due to his lack of a criminal record. They argued that if there was sufficient evidence regarding his use of the rifle in question, he would face more serious charges than a single count of illegal possession of a firearm. Additionally, they asserted that there is no evidence that the explosives were pre-assembled, as professional bomb technicians needed to modify the devices to activate them.
The defense also maintained that using images of political leaders for target practice is a “common” activity protected by the First Amendment.
Spafford's attorneys stated, “The government argues that Mr. Spafford should be detained because he poses a danger to the community, despite the fact that the government has been investigating and carefully monitoring Mr. Spafford for approximately two years through a confidential human source who was a friend and confidant of Mr. Spafford. During all that time, there is no evidence or allegation that Mr. Spafford committed or attempted to commit any act of violence.”
Nevertheless, prosecutors argue that Spafford poses an “extreme danger” to his family, community, and pretrial officers who would evaluate his residence for firearms and explosives. While the judge initially set Spafford's bond at $25,000, that decision was later put on hold pending a government appeal.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
The U.S. Department of Justice is opposing the release of Brad Spafford, whose home was raided in mid-December, leading federal prosecutors to label it the “largest seizure of homemade explosives in FBI history.”
Spafford was arrested at his farm in Smithfield on December 17, following a raid prompted by a criminal complaint alleging his possession of an unregistered short-barrel rifle.
FBI agents discovered a significant cache of explosives during their search, with some labeled as “lethal,” primarily located in a detached garage. Others were reportedly “preloaded into an apparent wearable vest.” Additionally, devices were found in a backpack in his bedroom, which had a hand grenade patch and the phrase “#NoLivesMatter.”
In court filings and testimony, a detective with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force informed a federal judge that Spafford held anti-government beliefs and desired to “bring back political assassinations,” as reported by Court Watch. Court documents also disclosed that he maintained a jar in his freezer marked “Dangerous” and “Do Not Touch,” which reportedly housed unstable explosive material. Counterterrorism agents located a notebook containing bomb-making recipes.
Prosecutors indicated that further charges are forthcoming and that Spafford’s arrest resulted in the “largest seizure of finished explosive devices in FBI history.”
An investigation into Spafford began in 2021 when an informant alerted authorities to an incident where Spafford allegedly injured his hand while handling a homemade explosive device, along with claims about his stockpiling of weapons and ammunition.
At a recent hearing, Spafford's attorneys contended that he should not be held in detention due to his lack of a criminal record. They argued that if there was sufficient evidence regarding his use of the rifle in question, he would face more serious charges than a single count of illegal possession of a firearm. Additionally, they asserted that there is no evidence that the explosives were pre-assembled, as professional bomb technicians needed to modify the devices to activate them.
The defense also maintained that using images of political leaders for target practice is a “common” activity protected by the First Amendment.
Spafford's attorneys stated, “The government argues that Mr. Spafford should be detained because he poses a danger to the community, despite the fact that the government has been investigating and carefully monitoring Mr. Spafford for approximately two years through a confidential human source who was a friend and confidant of Mr. Spafford. During all that time, there is no evidence or allegation that Mr. Spafford committed or attempted to commit any act of violence.”
Nevertheless, prosecutors argue that Spafford poses an “extreme danger” to his family, community, and pretrial officers who would evaluate his residence for firearms and explosives. While the judge initially set Spafford's bond at $25,000, that decision was later put on hold pending a government appeal.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
