Off-Duty Officer Alerts Authorities About Alleged Plans Against ICE, Leading to Arrest of Two Brothers
The arrest of two brothers raises legal concerns after an off-duty police officer claimed he overheard supposed plans to attack ICE agents
Posted on 29/11/2025 at 00:39
- Brothers accused of conspiracy against ICE
- Officer heard alleged plans
- Case lacks solid evidence
According to Telemundo, the Department of Homeland Security announced the arrest of two brothers after an off-duty police officer reported overhearing alleged plans to attack immigration agents.
The individuals, identified as John Wilson Bennett and Mark Booth Bennett, were arrested on November 19 and formally charged with conspiring to cause malicious injury under existing state laws.
The state charge in Virginia carries penalties ranging from five to twenty years in prison, along with fines, depending on the severity attributed to the alleged conspiracy.
DHS stated that the arrest occurred after determining that the comments the officer overheard implied violent intentions against ICE agents, although the agency did not provide additional information related to verifiable evidence of threats.
Criminal Charge and Preliminary Findings
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Over the past several months, DHS has brought accusations against more than twenty people for obstructing, assaulting, or allegedly planning attacks against immigration agents from various U.S. federal agencies.
None of these cases has gone to trial, and several have been dismissed for lack of evidence — a situation repeatedly noted by defense attorneys who question the strength of recent government investigations.
In at least nine previous complaints, judges concluded that the submitted documents failed to meet minimum standards, including a Chicago case in which a Latina woman was injured by federal agents without solid justification.
In the current ICE conspiracy arrest case, DHS did not reveal further details about the alleged plans, only stating that an officer claimed to have overheard conversations about violent intentions, without presenting recordings or additional documents.
Arrest of the Bennett Brothers and Lack of Evidence
A legal representative for the Bennetts stated during a recent hearing that the brothers should not be jailed over “idle talk,” emphasizing the absence of concrete proof beyond the officer’s initial testimony.
The accused remain under home supervision after posting bail, according to local outlet WVEC, while the investigation continues to determine whether the charges are valid.
The next hearing is scheduled for late January, where officials will evaluate whether the judicial process should move forward or whether the charges should be dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
Recent DHS complaints often involve individuals linked to protests critical of ICE operations and of Border Patrol deployments beyond traditional border zones.
Recent DHS Accusations in a Broader Migration Context
Border Patrol, part of CBP, has been used to enforce migration strategies implemented during President Donald Trump’s administration, including operations far from its typical jurisdictions.
Civil organizations argue that these actions can create tensions and may be used to discourage protests or criticism of expanded deportation operations.
In the statement about the Bennett brothers, DHS official Tricia MacLaughlin said the arrests respond to a notable increase in aggression and threats directed at immigration officers carrying out operational duties.
MacLaughlin said DHS data suggests assaults have risen by 1,150% and death threats by 8,000% recently.
Brothers Arrest in Virginia Amid Migration-Policy Tensions
DHS states that reported assaults include punches, spitting, and biting during arrests, as well as alleged Molotov cocktail attacks against immigration personnel or facilities associated with federal operations.
These figures are cited by the government as justification for tightening detentions and responding firmly to any conduct considered a potential threat to immigration agents on duty.
Meanwhile, the Bennett case continues to raise public concern due to the absence of additional evidence beyond comments overheard by a single officer.
The defense argues that pursuing a judicial process based solely on overheard conversations represents a disproportionate use of state power, especially in contexts where similar complaints were previously dismissed.
Reported Assaults and Judicial Process
The community in Virginia remains attentive to the brothers arrest case, as it could become another example of charges dismissed for lack of evidence — or a legal precedent for an expanded interpretation of conspiracy based on verbal statements alone.
The judicial evaluation scheduled for January will determine whether the charges filed by DHS meet the criteria to proceed or should be dismissed entirely.
Although DHS insists it must act in the face of any potential threat, defense attorneys emphasize that no direct evidence confirming a coordinated plan has been presented.
The outcome of the hearing will be decisive not only for the Bennett brothers, but also for shaping how future cases based on verbal accounts without supporting documentation will be handled — a key question in the evolving ICE conspiracy arrest case.
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