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Virginia Man Granted Bond Amidst FBI’s Largest Explosive Cache Discovery
A federal judge has approved bond for a 36-year-old man from Virginia, who stands accused of holding extremist views and amassing what prosecutors describe as the most extensive stockpile of homemade explosives ever uncovered by the FBI. However, the judge has postponed the bond order while the government contemplates an appeal.
The investigation unfolded following a significant raid conducted on December 17 at a 20-acre property in Isle of Wight County, where law enforcement agents discovered an array of weapons. This included over 150 pipe bombs and various explosive devices, according to official court documents.
The suspect, identified as Brad Spafford, was initially apprehended for a single offense related to possessing an unregistered short-barrel rifle. However, as bomb squads conducted a thorough search of the premises, they uncovered explosive devices labeled as “lethal” in a separate garage. In the main residence, further investigations led to the recovery of more pipe bombs concealed in a backpack adorned with a hand grenade patch and the controversial slogan “#NoLivesMatter,” affiliated with a violent far-right extremist faction that discusses radical actions through encrypted online platforms, as noted in a recent assessment by New Jersey homeland security.
Details regarding the case were brought to light during a bond hearing on December 30, where Spafford’s initial bail of $25,000 was surpassed following a late intervention from prosecutors seeking an emergency stay, as revealed in court documents.
According to the Smithfield Times, Detective Rachelann Cardwell testified that investigators uncovered various materials used for producing explosives, specifically HMTD—an extremely volatile substance—kept within garage freezers. Moreover, a notebook filled with blueprints for military-grade explosives was also located on the site.
The inquiry reportedly commenced after Spafford suffered a severe injury, losing three fingers due to an explosive incident in July 2021. A neighbor alerted the authorities, recounting instances where Spafford discussed preparations for an unspecified event that he implied he could not undertake alone, as per details from the Smithfield Times.
In addition to the existing firearms charges, federal prosecutors have indicated that more charges are anticipated, each capable of incurring similar sentences. The firearms charge alone could lead to a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment for Spafford.
Source
www.theguardian.com