VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia — Two Virginia brothers are facing conspiracy charges after authorities say an off-duty police officer overheard them discussing plans to kill police and federal immigration officers. John Wilson Bennett and Mark Booth Bennett were arrested late last week following a joint investigation by Homeland Security and the Virginia Beach Police Department. Officials say the brothers allegedly discussed acquiring firearms and coordinating attacks on Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel.
According to federal officials, Mark Bennett was arrested at Norfolk International Airport as he prepared to fly to Las Vegas, where he was allegedly planning to meet others to obtain weapons. Hours later, John Bennett — an assistant principal at Kempsville High School since 2009 — was taken into custody in Virginia Beach. Both men are charged with conspiracy to commit malicious wounding.
Authorities emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, noting a rise in threats against immigration officers nationwide. Homeland Security officials said recent months have included attempted ambushes, online targeting, and threats toward officers’ families, underscoring what they described as an increasingly dangerous environment for federal enforcement personnel…