From The Virginia Mercury:

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday announced the arrests of two Virginia brothers accused of plotting violent attacks on Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents — a case that immediately drew national attention amid the ongoing immigration crackdown and heightened threats against federal law enforcement.

John Wilson Bennett and his brother, Mark Booth Bennett, both U.S. citizens, were taken into custody last week. 

According to DHS, the investigation began Nov. 17 after an off-duty Norfolk police officer overheard the men discussing plans to “kill police officers and ICE agents.” Authorities say Mark Bennett also talked about meeting “likeminded individuals” in Las Vegas to buy firearms equipped with explosive rounds.

John Bennett has served as Assistant Principal of Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach since 2009.

Continued the Mercury, quoting Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin:

DHS highlighted what it described as a sharp rise in violence targeting ICE employees, pointing to internal figures showing “a more than 1,150% increase in assaults” and an “8,000% increase in death threats” in recent years. 

McLaughlin said officers have faced bounties placed on their heads, threats to their families, stalking and doxxing.