FBI seizes largest cache of homemade explosives in history at man’s home in Virginia – Firstpost

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested a man in Virginia and said it had found the largest cache of “finished explosive devices” ever found in the bureau’s history. The man named Brad Spafford was arrested at a farm outside Norfolk on December 17.

The man was arrested based on a single-count criminal complaint charging him with unlawful possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle. When investigators searched his 20-acre property, they found a detached garage with more than 150 explosive devices. Most of these pipe bombs were labeled “lethal” and the property was located in Isle of Wight County.

Prosecutors noted that more pipe bombs were found inside his room in a loose backpack. The bag had a patch shaped like a hand grenade and a logo that said “#NoLivesMatter.” The slogan is usually spread in the far-right section of Telegram. Aside from the hashtag, there was no other evidence that Spafford adhered to such beliefs.

What does ‘No Lives Matter’ mean?

According to the threat assessment released by the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, the “No Lives Matter” movement promoted “targeted attacks, mass killings, and criminal activity” and “has historically encouraged its members to self-harm and mistreat others.” the animals.” “.

In court papers filed, prosecutors in U.S. District Court in Norfolk argued that Spafford must remain in custody as the case moves toward trial. According to court documents, prosecutors began investigating Spafford last year. Authorities began scrutinizing Spafford after a neighbor approached authorities.

Spafford lost three fingers on his right hand while working with a homemade explosive device. The neighbor told authorities Spafford was storing homemade weapons and ammunition. The neighbor mentioned that Spafford told him that he and his friends were “preparing for something” that he “couldn’t do alone,” according to court documents.

Neighbors also claimed that Spafford sometimes used photographs of US President Joe Biden for target practice at a local shooting range. I used to believe that “political assassinations should come back again.” The New York Times reported.

Court documents mentioned that after the attempted assassination of US President-elect Donald J. Trump in July, Spafford told his neighbor that he “hoped the shooter didn’t miss Kamala,” an apparent reference to Vice President Kamala. Harris. Authorities said the suspect moved to his farm this fall and neighbors came to visit him there in October.

The neighbors were carrying a secret recording device on which they recorded Spafford saying he had several types of explosives on the property and discussing fortifying it with “a 360-degree turret” on which he planned to mount a .50-caliber rifle, according to the papers. .

With contributions from agencies.