John Wilson Bennett (left) and Mark Booth Bennett (right)

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

A Virginia high school assistant principal and his brother are facing charges after federal officials say they plotted to kill ICE law enforcement officers.

The Department of Homeland Security said the investigation began on Monday. Nov. 17, after an off-duty Norfolk police officer overheard John Wilson Bennett and his brother Mark Booth Bennett discussing plans to “kill police officers and ICE agents.”

According to DHS, Mark Bennett was also overheard saying he planned to meet with like-minded individuals in Las Vegas to purchase firearms with explosive rounds.

Investigators said Mark Bennett was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at Norfolk International Airport, where he was scheduled to board a flight to Charlotte before continuing to Las Vegas. 

That same day, officials said John Bennett was arrested in Virginia Beach, where he has served as the assistant principal of Kempsville High School since 2009.

“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 officers' bulletproof vests,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. 

“Thanks to Homeland Security Investigations and our partners, these men are behind bars.”

McLaughlin said ICE officers are facing “a more than 1,150% percent increase in assaults” and an “8,000 percent increase in death threats” as they work cases involving “murderers, rapists, pedophiles, terrorists, and gang members.”

She added that officers have faced “bounties placed on their heads,” as well as threats to their families, stalking, and doxxing online.

DHS said both men were charged with conspiracy to commit malicious wounding, a violation of Virginia state law. They're scheduled to head to court at a later date.