A Virginia man at the center of what the FBI describes as the largest stockpile of finished explosive devices in its history has pleaded guilty in federal court to two weapons charges.
Brad Spafford, a 36-year-old machinist and father of two, entered guilty pleas this week to possession of an unregistered short-barrel rifle and unregistered destructive devices—including roughly 150 pipe bombs found on his rural property near Norfolk last December.
The investigation began in 2023 when a tipster—who authorities say works in law enforcement—alerted federal agents that Spafford had been stockpiling firearms, ammunition, and explosive materials.
When federal agents raided his home last fall, they discovered dozens of improvised explosive devices, along with a quantity of HMTD, a volatile chemical compound, stored in a freezer next to frozen food. Additional materials were reportedly found inside a backpack labeled “#NoLivesMatter.”
According to court filings, Spafford had expressed disturbing political sentiments, allegedly telling a witness that “political assassinations should be brought back” and using a photo of President Joe Biden for target practice. Days after the attempted assassination of President Trump, he was reported to have said, “Bro, I hope the shooter doesn’t miss Kamala,” referring to Vice President Harris.
Spafford was arrested in December and has remained in custody ever since. A federal judge denied bond, citing what she described as a “capacity for extreme danger.”
Defense attorneys initially sought Spafford’s release in January, pointing to his steady employment, lack of a criminal record, and family responsibilities. He had originally pleaded not guilty.
Spafford could face 10 years in prison on each charge and is scheduled to be sentenced in December.
