The FBI discovered the largest cache of ‘ready-made explosive devices’ in the bureau’s history during the arrest of a Virginia resident, CBS television reported, citing court documents.
Brad Spafford was arrested on 17 December for possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle. The cache of homemade bombs was found during a search of Spafford’s 20-acre (about 8 hectares) farm in Isle of Wight County.
‘The FBI found more than 150 explosive devices on the property, which is estimated to be the largest seizure of ready-made explosive devices in history,’ the prosecutor’s motion to the court to remand the detainee reads.
According to the document, the investigation began in early 2023 after a man living near Spafford told authorities that his neighbour was stockpiling explosives and had lost three fingers on his right hand.
The neighbour also told authorities that Spafford used photos of President Joe Biden to shoot targets at a local shooting range.
Prosecutors say the detainee ‘poses an extreme danger to the community’ and should remain in custody.
Lawyers are pushing for Spafford’s release pending trial, describing him as a ‘hard-working family man with no criminal record.’