FBI Seizes Record Homemade Bomb Cache in Virginia

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FBI Seizes Record Homemade Bomb Cache in Virginia \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A Virginia machinist pleaded guilty to federal charges after authorities uncovered 150 explosive devices at his home. Prosecutors say he used President Biden’s photo for target practice and expressed violent political views. Investigators called it the largest cache of finished explosives ever found by the FBI.

Quick Looks

Brad Spafford pleads guilty to two federal firearms charges.
FBI uncovered roughly 150 homemade bombs at his Virginia home.
He used photos of President Biden for target practice.
Allegedly expressed support for political assassinations in private.
Unstable explosives found next to food in home freezer.
Devices also discovered in an unsecured “#NoLivesMatter” backpack.
Court denied bond, citing “capacity for extreme danger.”
Lost three fingers in a 2021 homemade explosives accident.
Prosecutors moved quickly after recorded admission in 2024.
Sentencing scheduled for December; each charge carries 10-year max.

Deep Look

The recent guilty plea by Brad Spafford, a Virginia machinist and father of two, has drawn national attention—not only for the charges he faces but also for what federal agents uncovered in his quiet Isle of Wight County home: the largest cache of completed homemade explosive devices in FBI history. The case, steeped in political extremism, gun culture, and domestic radicalization, paints a chilling picture of how a seemingly average citizen amassed enough firepower to pose a catastrophic public threat.

Spafford pleaded guilty in federal court in Norfolk to two serious firearm-related offenses: possession of an unregistered short-barrel rifle and possession of an unregistered destructive device, both carrying a potential 10-year sentence each. His sentencing is scheduled for December, and he remains in custody, denied bail based on what prosecutors described as an “extreme danger to society.”

The Path to the Largest Bomb Seizure in FBI History

According to federal court documents, the investigation began in early 2023 when a longtime friend of Spafford—who is also a member of law enforcement—alerted authorities about his growing cache of weapons and erratic political behavior. The informant told agents that Spafford used images of President Joe Biden for target practice, frequently espoused support for political assassinations, and claimed that violent action was necessary to fix America.

The FBI began monitoring Spafford, but it wasn’t until October 2024, shortly after the assassination attempt on presidential candidate Donald Trump, that Spafford’s rhetoric became even more dangerous. He was caught on a recorded wiretap telling the informant:

“Bro, I hope the shooter doesn’t miss Kamala.”

The reference was to Vice President Kamala Harris, who had recently launched her 2024 presidential bid following President Biden’s decision not to seek reelection. The comment, coupled with his ongoing efforts to earn a sniper qualification at a local gun range, pushed the investigation into high gear.

Explosives Found Near Frozen Dinners

In December 2024, a federal task force raided Spafford’s home. What they found stunned even veteran agents: over 150 completed explosive devices, pipe bombs, and destructive materials stored not only in backpacks labeled “#NoLivesMatter” but also in a garage freezer alongside frozen foods like Hot Pockets and corn on the cob.

Investigators found volatile, unstable chemicals improperly stored and determined that even a small spark could have resulted in a massive blast. Officials later described the storage method as “reckless” and said the house was seconds away from a potential disaster.

A Man of Extremes: From Family Man to Federal Threat

Spafford’s defense attorney, Jeffrey Swartz, tried to humanize his client, emphasizing that Spafford is a husband, father of two young daughters, and a steady worker as a machinist. Swartz also noted that Spafford had no criminal record prior to the charges and had lived quietly in a Virginia suburb.

“He bought a house, raised a family, worked a steady job. These are not the actions of someone preparing for war,” Swartz argued at the detention hearing in January 2025.

However, U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen rejected the defense, citing evidence of past violent behavior, including a 2021 accident in which Spafford lost three fingers while handling homemade explosives.

“This individual has demonstrated not only the technical skill but also the ideological motivation to create significant harm,” Judge Allen said in her ruling.

The Radicalization Puzzle

Spafford’s case reflects a broader trend seen across the U.S. in recent years: political radicalization of lone actors who are heavily armed and ideologically driven. Experts say the convergence of fringe political beliefs, grievance politics, and unfettered access to weapons can create a recipe for domestic terrorism.

“These aren’t just survivalists or hobbyists anymore,” said one FBI analyst familiar with the case. “This is someone who crossed the line from prepping to planning.”

While Spafford never publicly threatened specific individuals, the combination of recorded statements, weapon stockpiles, and ideological justification for violence gave law enforcement little doubt about his potential for harm.

A Legal Precedent in a Shifting Climate

Prosecutors emphasized the unique danger Spafford posed, especially in light of the polarized political environment in the U.S. His guilty plea marks a significant win for federal investigators who have struggled to intervene in such cases before acts of violence occur.

Spafford’s case may now become a legal precedent for how early intervention, surveillance, and informant cooperation can dismantle potential threats before a tragedy unfolds.

As political tensions remain high heading into the 2026 general election cycle, federal agencies are doubling down on monitoring extremist networks and individual radical actors who may operate off the grid.

“The line between rhetoric and action is dangerously thin,” one Department of Justice official stated. “This case shows that if we wait too long, the consequences could be catastrophic.”