The Department of Homeland Security’s top officials told Fox News Digital that the agency’s Investigations unit has taken up a new case involving a Virginia educator and his brother, who are alleged to have plotted to attack ICE agents, possibly using explosives.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin explained on Wednesday that, according to reports, John Wilson Bennett—who serves as assistant principal at Kempsville High School—and his older brother Mark Booth Bennett were caught on a night in a Vietnamese restaurant in Virginia Beach. The brothers allegedly discussed plans to go to Nevada and carry out attacks on ICE officers as revenge for what they claimed were “kidnapping[s]” of civilians during recent immigration‑enforcement actions.
“It’s chilling that a human being, much less a child educator, would plot to ambush and kill ICE law‑enforcement officers—offering such specifics as to getting a high‑caliber rifle that would pierce the law‑enforcements’ bullet proof vests,” McLaughlin said. She added that “thanks to Homeland Security Investigations and our partners, these men are behind bars.”
John Bennett has been with Kempsville High School since 2009, and the school has confirmed that he is currently on leave. McLaughlin said DHS collaborated with local and federal law‑enforcement agencies after a Norfolk police officer overheard the brothers on November 17 discussing their intention to “kill police officers and ICE agents.” Mark Bennett allegedly stated he would meet like‑minded people in Las Vegas and purchase firearms with explosive rounds there.
Two days later, both Bennett brothers were taken into custody. Mark was arrested at Norfolk International Airport while heading toward Charlotte‑Douglas International Airport en route to Las Vegas; John was detained the same day. The arrests came after the brothers were allegedly overheard at the restaurant in Virginia Beach plotting attacks on ICE agents, claiming the motives were revenge for alleged “kidnapping[s]” of civilians during enforcement operations.
McLaughlin underscored that the case reflects broader trends, citing a more than 1,150 % rise in assaults against ICE agents, and an eight‑thousand‑fold spike in death threats directed at officers and their families. “Our officers risk their lives every single day to remove the worst of the worst—including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, terrorists, and gang members,” she said. “From bounties placed on their heads for their murders, threats to their families, stalking, and doxxing online, our officers are experiencing an unprecedented level of violence and threats against them and their families.”
Mark Bennett’s lawyer, Happy O’Brien, disputed the claims about the brothers’ intentions. According to the Norfolk Virginian‑Pilot, O’Brien argued that his client was actually traveling to Nevada for a Formula One motorsports event with his child, and he compared the restaurant conversation to something out of the NBC sitcom “Seinfeld,” where the characters often have existential discussions over coffee at “Monk’s.”
The Bennetts were ultimately charged with conspiracy to commit malicious wounding.
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