John Bennett, an assistant principal at Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach, and his brother, Mark Bennett, face charges of conspiracy to commit malicious wounding after allegedly planning violence against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and local police officers. The charges stem from an incident on November 15, when an off-duty Norfolk police officer overheard the brothers at a Virginia Beach restaurant discussing actions against ICE agents, whom they accused of "kidnapping individuals," as reported by Fox News.
Mark Bennett allegedly mentioned plans to travel to Las Vegas to meet with "like-minded individuals" and return with "enforcement ideas and plans." He also reportedly purchased an assault rifle capable of firing rounds that could penetrate body armor, expressing a desire to "go hunting." John Bennett reportedly supported these ideas and showed interest in the Las Vegas trip.
The Virginia Beach Police Department arrested Mark Bennett at Norfolk International Airport and John Bennett shortly thereafter. Both were granted bond under conditions including no contact with each other, no possession of firearms, and home confinement with GPS monitoring. Their preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 23.
Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul W. Neudigate described the allegations as "incredibly alarming," emphasizing the importance of public safety and the cooperation between law enforcement agencies to address the threat. The case highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement and its impact on local communities.