(Crankers) Not committing a crime but talking about it out loud might be just as bad for two brothers plotting to attack ICE agents!
John (54), a vice principal, and Mark (59) Bennet were arrested en route to Las Vegas at Norfolk International Airport. They are arrested under suspicion of committing acts of violence against ICE officers as they were on their way to meet “like-minded individuals.”
An off duty Norfolk police officer reported that he overheard the brothers speaking at a restaurant. He said the conversation happened four days earlier in Virginia Beach. He said they talked about how they believed ICE agents kidnap people and stated that they needed to act.
A criminal complaint says Mark Bennett admitted that he recently bought an assault rifle for use with explosive rounds. The document says he believed those rounds could penetrate protective vests worn by ICE agents. The complaint also states that John Bennett, an assistant principal at Kempsville High School, wanted to join the Las Vegas trip.
It says he told his brother that he wanted to go hunting during the visit. Hunting for what or who, exactly?
Investigators say Mark Bennett bought a ticket to fly to Las Vegas. Officials have not confirmed whether John Bennett also purchased a ticket for that flight.
After officers arrested him, the Virginia Beach school district placed John Bennett on administrative leave. His LinkedIn profile shows that he once took a year away from teaching to work in police patrol.
Both brothers were charged by the prosecutor with one count of conspiracy to commit malicious wounding. They were granted bond by the judge after their arraignment.
The authorities state that the goal of these arrests is to prevent and intervene before actual actions take place, since interventions reduce the probability of violence.