A Virginia Beach assistant principal, John W. Bennett, 54, and his brother, Mark B. Bennett, 59, were arrested at Norfolk International Airport on Wednesday for allegedly threatening violence against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, the New York Post reports. The brothers were apprehended while preparing to travel to Las Vegas, where Mark Bennett reportedly intended to meet with “like-minded individuals” to discuss plans for violent actions against ICE.
The case unfolded after an off-duty Norfolk police officer overheard the two men during a lunch conversation in Virginia Beach on November 15. They allegedly expressed beliefs that ICE agents were kidnapping people and discussed the need to take action. Mark Bennett mentioned purchasing an assault rifle capable of firing rounds designed to penetrate law enforcement protective vests, specifically those used by ICE agents. John Bennett expressed interest in joining his brother on the trip to Las Vegas for "hunting," a term used in the complaint to describe their intended violent activity.
Both John and Mark Bennett were charged with conspiracy to commit malicious wounding and were granted bond after their arraignment. John Bennett was placed on administrative leave from his role as assistant principal at Kempsville High School, where he has worked since 2009. The Virginia Beach Police Department emphasized the seriousness of the threats against law enforcement and credited collaboration among agencies for preventing potential violence. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities encourage anyone with additional information to come forward.
This incident underscores growing hostility toward federal immigration enforcement, as politically charged opposition has fueled threats and animosity toward ICE agents carrying out their duty to uphold the law amid stepped-up border security operations.