DHS brass slam Virginia Beach principal accused in ‘chilling’ plot to lure, ambush ICE agents
In a startling development, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched an investigation into John Wilson Bennett, an assistant principal at Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach, and his brother Mark Booth Bennett, following allegations of their involvement in a plot to attack Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The case came to light after an off-duty Norfolk police officer overheard the brothers discussing their intentions at a Vietnamese restaurant on November 17. According to Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, the brothers allegedly expressed a desire for retribution against ICE for what they termed “kidnappings” during recent immigration enforcement operations. Their conversation reportedly included plans to acquire high-caliber rifles capable of penetrating law enforcement’s bulletproof vests, a chilling revelation that has raised significant concerns about the safety of ICE agents.
Following the overheard conversation, Mark Bennett was arrested at Norfolk International Airport while attempting to travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, with plans to connect to Las Vegas. John Bennett was arrested shortly thereafter. The DHS emphasized the seriousness of the situation, highlighting an alarming trend of increased violence against ICE agents, with reported assaults rising by over 1,150% and death threats skyrocketing by 8,000%. McLaughlin underscored the risks faced by ICE officers, who daily confront dangerous individuals, including murderers and gang members, stating that the threats against them and their families have reached unprecedented levels. In contrast, Mark Bennett’s attorney has downplayed the situation, suggesting that the conversation was innocuous and likening it to comedic banter from the sitcom “Seinfeld,” asserting that Mark was merely traveling for a Formula One event with his child.
This incident not only underscores the potential dangers faced by law enforcement in the current climate but also raises questions about the responsibilities and actions of those in educational roles. As the investigation unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the societal tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the extreme measures some individuals may consider in response to perceived injustices. The case highlights the critical need for vigilance and cooperation among law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of those tasked with upholding the law.
FIRST ON FOX
: Top brass at the
Department of Homeland Security
told Fox News Digital the agency’s Investigations unit is now on the case of a Virginia educator and his brother accused of plotting to attack ICE, potentially with explosive rounds.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Wednesday that Kempsville High School
assistant principal John Wilson Bennett
and his older brother Mark Booth Bennett were overheard at a Vietnamese restaurant in Virginia Beach allegedly conspiring to go to Nevada and plan attacks on ICE agents in retribution for what they claimed to be “kidnapping[s]” of civilians during recent immigration enforcement operations.
“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,” McLaughlin said, after Fox News Digital originally reported on the adult brothers’ arrest days ago.
“Thanks to Homeland Security Investigations and our partners, these men are behind bars.”
FLORIDA MAN NABBED BY HOMELAND SECURITY FOR ALLEGEDLY MAKING ONLINE DEATH THREATS AGAINST ICE ‘GESTAPO’
John Bennett has been faculty at the school, located in the inland part of
Virginia Beach
, since 2009. The school told local press that he is currently on leave.
McLaughlin said DHS worked with law enforcement at all levels after an off-duty Norfolk police officer overheard the men at a Vietnamese restaurant in Virginia Beach on Nov. 17 discussing plans to “kill police officers and ICE agents,” with Mark Bennett allegedly saying he was planning to meet like-minded people in
Las Vegas
, where he would also purchase firearms with explosive rounds.
Two days later, Mark Bennett was arrested at Norfolk International Airport en route to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, to connect to Las Vegas. John Bennett was also arrested that day.
FBI DIRECTOR KASH PATEL VOWS JUSTICE AFTER DHS AGENT’S VEHICLE RAMMED IN CHICAGO
McLaughlin said the case is indicative of the more-than 1,150% increase in
assaults against ICE agents
and 8,000-fold spike in death threats as they go about their daily work defending the homeland.
“They risk their lives every single day to remove the worst of the worst, including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, terrorists, and gang members. From bounties placed on their heads for their murders, threats to their families, stalking, and doxxing online
,
our officers are experiencing an
unprecedented level of violence and threats
against them and their families,” McLaughlin said.
Happy O’Brien, Mark Bennett’s attorney, disputed the recounting of events, reportedly saying his client was instead flying to Nevada for a F1 (Formula One) motorsports event with his child, according to the
Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
.
O’Brien reportedly compared the restaurant conversation to something out of the
NBC sitcom “Seinfeld”
– where Jerry Seinfeld’s and Jason Alexander’s characters would often have varying degrees of existential conversations while having coffee at “Monk’s.”
Both Bennetts were charged with conspiracy to commit malicious wounding.
Fox News Digital’s Adam Sabes contributed to this report
.
