Massive Explosives Cache Discovered in Virginia Farm Raid

Authorities make largest explosive seizure in FBI history, highlighting alarming trends in domestic extremism.

The FBI has unveiled a shocking discovery of over 150 bombs during a raid on a farm in Virginia, marking what is believed to be the largest cache of explosive devices ever confiscated by the agency. The raid took place on December 17 in Isle of Wight County, approximately 180 miles south of Washington D.C., following a tip-off regarding the accumulation of dangerous weapons and homemade ammunition by a man named Brad Spafford, who resides on the property with his wife and two young children.

The search revealed that some of the bombs were stashed in an unsecured backpack labeled "#nolivesmatter," which appears to reference a far-right, anti-government ideology. Spafford, who has been arrested, is facing charges for possessing an unregistered short-barrel rifle; however, authorities indicate that more serious charges could follow.

According to law enforcement officials, this significant seizure is being "preliminarily assessed as the largest by number of finished explosive devices" in FBI history. Investigators uncovered alarming details, noting that Spafford had previously used pictures of President Joe Biden for target practice and had expressed hopes for the assassination of Vice-President Kamala Harris.

Further investigation yielded evidence that Spafford had previously suffered severe hand injuries when working with homemade explosives in 2021. A neighbor, who had prior experience in law enforcement, recorded conversations with Spafford that led to the discovery of the explosives. The devices were reportedly scattered throughout the home and primarily stored in a detached garage, where they were sorted by color, with some marked "lethal."

More chillingly, some bombs were found loaded into a wearable vest, while a jar of the unstable explosive HMTD was discovered, marked as “Dangerous” and stored in a freezer next to food accessible to children. Incredibly, the neighbor also revealed that Spafford had plans to fortified the property with a turret for a .50 caliber firearm.

Despite the serious allegations posed against him, Spafford's lawyer argues that there is no concrete evidence demonstrating that he poses a threat to the community, stressing his lack of a criminal record. The attorney characterized the government's claims as unfounded speculation influenced by fear.

Though a federal judge initially ordered Spafford's release with electronic monitoring, that ruling is currently on hold as the government seeks to maintain his pre-trial detention amidst the investigation of these alarming circumstances.