A Virginia high school assistant principal and his brother are behind bars after authorities uncovered an alleged plot to ambush and execute federal immigration agents and local police officers.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Tuesday the arrests of John Wilson Bennett, an administrator at Kempsville High School, and his brother, Mark Booth Bennett. Both men are charged with conspiracy to commit malicious wounding under Virginia state law.
The investigation began on November 17, 2025, after an off-duty Norfolk police officer overheard the brothers discussing plans to “kill police officers and ICE agents.”
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According to investigators, the plot involved acquiring specific weaponry to carry out the attacks. Mark Bennett was allegedly overheard outlining a plan to travel to Las Vegas to purchase firearms equipped with “explosive rounds” capable of penetrating the bulletproof vests worn by law enforcement.
Agents moved quickly to intercept the pair two days later on November 19.
Authorities arrested Mark Bennett at Norfolk International Airport as he was preparing to board a flight to Charlotte, North Carolina, with a final destination of Las Vegas. John Bennett was taken into custody the same day in Virginia Beach.
John Bennett has been a fixture in the local education system, serving as the Assistant Principal of Kempsville High School since 2009.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described the allegations as “chilling,” noting the specificity of the brothers’ plans to bypass protective gear used by officers.
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“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 in a statement.
The arrests come amid a sharp spike in threats against federal agents. According to DHS data, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have seen an 8,000% increase in death threats and a 1,150% rise in physical assaults.
“Our officers are experiencing an unprecedented level of violence and threats against them and their families,” McLaughlin added, citing bounties placed on officers’ heads, stalking, and doxxing.
Both brothers are currently in custody awaiting court proceedings.
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