An assistant principal from Virginia and his brother were taken into custody at the airport while heading to Las Vegas. They’re accused of conspiring with others to plan acts of violence against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
John Bennett, 54, and his brother Mark, 59, were arrested at Norfolk International Airport on Wednesday, just days after they reportedly discussed their drastic anti-ICE intentions, according to WTKR.
Reportedly, John Bennett expressed to Mark that he wanted to go on this troubling trip to Las Vegas to “go hunting.”
A criminal complaint revealed that an off-duty Norfolk police officer overheard the brothers at a Virginia Beach restaurant discussing how ICE agents were “kidnapping people” and felt compelled to take action against it, just four days before their arrest.
Mark is alleged to have mentioned plans to meet with similar thinkers in Las Vegas and brainstorm “ideas and plans for execution.”
He also confessed to buying an assault rifle that could pierce the protective vests typically worn by law enforcement officers.
John Bennett, who serves as the assistant principal at Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach, reportedly wanted to accompany his brother on this disturbing trip.
Mark had purchased a ticket for Las Vegas on Wednesday; it’s unclear if John did the same.
Following their arrest, John Bennett was placed on administrative leave. Interestingly, he had taken a year off to explore a career in law enforcement before returning to teach high school math.
The brothers face charges of conspiracy to commit malicious injury. They were both granted bail after their arraignment on Thursday, according to 13 Current News.
