Virginia High School Assistant Principal and brother ARRESTED for alleged plot to kill ICE agents

A Virginia high school principal and his brother were arrested for allegedly planning to carry out a heinous attack involving firearms and explosives to kill US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Wednesday.

John Wilson Bennett, and his brother Mark Booth Bennett, have each been charged with conspiracy to commit malicious wounding. According to DHS, the pair was overheard by Virginia state police officers on November 17 discussing alleged plans to "kill police officers and ICE agents." Additionally, Mark was allegedly overheard stating his intention to meet with like-minded individuals in Las Vegas, Nevada, to purchase firearms with explosive rounds to carry out the killings, according to the press release.

John Bennett is the Assistant Principal of Kempsville High School in Virginia. He was arrested on November 19 in Virginia Beach. That same day, authorities captured Mark Bennett at the Norfolk International Airport, where he was scheduled to depart on a flight to North Carolina, en route to Las Vegas.

"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 enforcement's bulletproof vests. Thanks to Homeland Security Investigations and our partners, these men are behind bars," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

"Our officers are facing a more than 1,150% increase in assaults against them and an 8,000% increase in death threats while they risk their lives every single day to remove the worst of the worst, including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, terrorists, and gang members," she continued. "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."

Both individuals were formally charged under Virginia state law. Court dates have not yet been set, and their complaints are currently under seal. DHS did not disclose potential motives in this case.