Assistant Principal, Brother Arrested After Allegedly Discussing ICE Kill Plot

A Virginia assistant principal and his brother were recently caught discussing how to kill immigration officers, authorities allege, though their attorneys maintain the conversation is unsubstantiated.

Federal investigators began looking into John Wilson Bennett and Mark Booth Bennett on Nov. 17 after an off-duty Norfolk, Va., police officer overheard them planning to “kill police officers and ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] agents,” according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security this week.

Mark Bennett was also heard saying he planned to meet with “likeminded individuals” in Las Vegas to buy firearms — including rounds capable of explosive impact — to carry out the attacks, officials claim.

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On Nov. 19, Mark Bennett was arrested at Norfolk International Airport, where he was scheduled to fly to Las Vegas with a layover in Charlotte, N.C., according to DHS.

Bennett’s brother John, who is the assistant principal at Kempsville High School, was arrested the same day in Virginia Beach, DHS said.

“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,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in the statement.

Both men have been charged with conspiracy to commit malicious wounding, according to DHS. It was not immediately if they have entered pleas, and their attorneys could not be immediately reached for comment.

Their defense attorneys have argued in court that the conversation was hearsay and that they pose no danger to the community, according to Associated Press.

Attorneys also said Mark was traveling to Las Vegas for a Formula 1 race, not to obtain weapons, the outlet reported.

The brothers have been released to home confinement under pretrial supervision.