CNN
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A Virginia man will be jailed after prosecutors say they found what could be the largest number of “completed explosive devices” in FBI history at his 20-acre home near Norfolk. I am struggling for this.
The man, Brad Spafford, was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of possessing an illegal, unregistered short-barreled rifle. During his arrest, the FBI, including a bomb technician, executed a search warrant on his property, found a stockpile of more than 150 suspected pipe bombs, and conducted X-ray tests at the scene, prosecutors said. Some were reportedly marked as “lethal.”
Prosecutors said the pipe bombs were found in backpacks and a detached garage, and some were “apparently pre-loaded into wearable vests.”
In a court filing arguing that Mr. Spafford should remain incarcerated, prosecutors say Mr. Spafford used a photo of President Joe Biden for target practice and “expressed support for political assassination.” “I have recently attempted to obtain my sniper rifle certification at a local shooting range.”
After the assassination attempt on President-elect Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, prosecutors said that Spafford, in a communication with a neighbor, appeared to be referring to the vice president, saying, “Don’t let the shooter miss ‘Kamala.” He said he wanted to.”
Prosecutors said the investigation into Spafford stemmed from a neighbor who said Spafford was suspected of stockpiling weapons and homemade ammunition and that he lost three fingers on his right hand while working on a homemade explosive device in 2021. It started with a report.
Mr. Spafford’s lawyer said in a filing Tuesday seeking his client’s release that Mr. Spafford has only been charged with one count of illegal possession of a firearm, and that Mr. Spafford used that gun. He pointed out that there was no evidence of this and that he had no criminal record.
His lawyers also wrote that “a professionally trained explosives technician had to operate the explosive device” and that there was no evidence that he had the ability to detonate the device himself. Ta.
“The government maintains that Mr. Spafford poses a danger to the community and should be detained, despite the fact that the government has been investigating and closely monitoring Mr. Spafford for nearly two years.” is a friend and confidant of Mr. Spafford,” his attorney wrote. “During that time, there is no evidence or allegation that Mr. Spafford committed or attempted to commit any act of violence.”
His lawyers also said his use of portraits of political leaders at shooting ranges was “routine” and that his “disrespectful statements about the government and political leaders” were protected by the constitution. .
