Latest news with #JackLaSota
Washington Post
7 hours ago
- Washington Post
Woman with ties to a cultlike group to appear in court after border agent's killing
A woman charged in the death of a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Vermont is due in federal court Tuesday in one of multiple criminal cases linked to a cultlike group known as Zizians . Authorities have said Teresa Youngblut fired the bullet that killed agent David Maland during the January traffic stop. Another agent fired back, wounding Youngblut and killing her companion, Felix Bauckholt, officials have said. The Zizians are a group of followers of Jack LaSota , a computer scientist who has blogged as 'Ziz' on subjects including veganism, gender identity and artificial intelligence. The group mostly consists of computer scientists who met online, shared anarchist beliefs and became increasingly violent. Youngblut and Bauckholt were both affiliated with the group, which authorities have also linked to killings in Pennsylvania and California. Youngblut has pleaded not guilty to charges of intentionally using a deadly weapon towards law enforcement, and using and discharging a firearm during an assault with a deadly weapon. The Tuesday federal court appearance is a discovery hearing in Burlington. Discovery is a pre-trial proceeding in which both sides of a case exchange evidence and information. Both sides declined to comment in advance of the court date. The office of Steven Barth, who has represented Youngblut, said it had no comment on the case. Fabienne Boisvert-DeFazio, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont, said the office 'does not comment on ongoing cases beyond the public record.' In Vermont, authorities had been watching Youngblut for several days after she and Bauckholt checked into a hotel wearing black tactical gear and carrying guns. Local border patrol agents also were told that Bauckholt was a German citizen with unknown immigration status. Authorities said Youngblut shot Maland after being pulled over. The shootout was one of several violent incidents that has been linked to the Zizians. Members of the group have been tied to the death of one of their own during an attack on California landlord Curtis Lind in 2022, Lind's subsequent killing, and the deaths of a Pennsylvania couple.
The Independent
7 hours ago
- The Independent
Woman with ties to a cultlike group to appear in court after border agent's killing
A woman charged in the death of a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Vermont is due in federal court Tuesday in one of multiple criminal cases linked to a cultlike group known as Zizians. Authorities have said Teresa Youngblut fired the bullet that killed agent David Maland during the January traffic stop. Another agent fired back, wounding Youngblut and killing her companion, Felix Bauckholt, officials have said. The Zizians are a group of followers of Jack LaSota, a computer scientist who has blogged as 'Ziz' on subjects including veganism, gender identity and artificial intelligence. The group mostly consists of computer scientists who met online, shared anarchist beliefs and became increasingly violent. Youngblut and Bauckholt were both affiliated with the group, which authorities have also linked to killings in Pennsylvania and California. Youngblut has pleaded not guilty to charges of intentionally using a deadly weapon towards law enforcement, and using and discharging a firearm during an assault with a deadly weapon. The Tuesday federal court appearance is a discovery hearing in Burlington. Discovery is a pre-trial proceeding in which both sides of a case exchange evidence and information. Both sides declined to comment in advance of the court date. The office of Steven Barth, who has represented Youngblut, said it had no comment on the case. Fabienne Boisvert-DeFazio, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont, said the office 'does not comment on ongoing cases beyond the public record.' In Vermont, authorities had been watching Youngblut for several days after she and Bauckholt checked into a hotel wearing black tactical gear and carrying guns. Local border patrol agents also were told that Bauckholt was a German citizen with unknown immigration status. Authorities said Youngblut shot Maland after being pulled over. The shootout was one of several violent incidents that has been linked to the Zizians. Members of the group have been tied to the death of one of their own during an attack on California landlord Curtis Lind in 2022, Lind's subsequent killing, and the deaths of a Pennsylvania couple.
Associated Press
8 hours ago
- Associated Press
Woman with ties to a cultlike group to appear in court after border agent's killing
A woman charged in the death of a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Vermont is due in federal court Tuesday in one of multiple criminal cases linked to a cultlike group known as Zizians. Authorities have said Teresa Youngblut fired the bullet that killed agent David Maland during the January traffic stop. Another agent fired back, wounding Youngblut and killing her companion, Felix Bauckholt, officials have said. The Zizians are a group of followers of Jack LaSota, a computer scientist who has blogged as 'Ziz' on subjects including veganism, gender identity and artificial intelligence. The group mostly consists of computer scientists who met online, shared anarchist beliefs and became increasingly violent. Youngblut and Bauckholt were both affiliated with the group, which authorities have also linked to killings in Pennsylvania and California. Youngblut has pleaded not guilty to charges of intentionally using a deadly weapon towards law enforcement, and using and discharging a firearm during an assault with a deadly weapon. The Tuesday federal court appearance is a discovery hearing in Burlington. Discovery is a pre-trial proceeding in which both sides of a case exchange evidence and information. Both sides declined to comment in advance of the court date. The office of Steven Barth, who has represented Youngblut, said it had no comment on the case. Fabienne Boisvert-DeFazio, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont, said the office 'does not comment on ongoing cases beyond the public record.' In Vermont, authorities had been watching Youngblut for several days after she and Bauckholt checked into a hotel wearing black tactical gear and carrying guns. Local border patrol agents also were told that Bauckholt was a German citizen with unknown immigration status. Authorities said Youngblut shot Maland after being pulled over. The shootout was one of several violent incidents that has been linked to the Zizians. Members of the group have been tied to the death of one of their own during an attack on California landlord Curtis Lind in 2022, Lind's subsequent killing, and the deaths of a Pennsylvania couple.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Yahoo
‘Transgender vegan cult leader' arrested in US over six deaths
The alleged leader of a 'transgender vegan cult' linked to six deaths across the United States has been arrested in Maryland . Jack LaSota, 34, was arrested on Sunday with Michelle Zajko, 33, who is reportedly another member of the group, known as 'Zizians'. The group has been tied to the killing of David Maland, a US border patrol agent, and five other deaths in Vermont, Pennsylvania and California. Zizians are reported to include computer scientists, some of whom have allegedly worked for Google and Nasa. Members, most in their 20s and 30s, are said to have met online, and reportedly developed radical views on topics such as veganism, gender identity and artificial intelligence. LaSota and Ms Zajko face multiple charges including trespass, obstructing and hindering, and possession of a handgun. A bail hearing for the the two was scheduled for 11am local time Tuesday at Allegany District Court, in Cumberland. US officials have offered few details of the country-wide investigation, which intensified after Mr Maland was shot dead on Jan 20. The 44 year-old was killed in a shoot-out after he pulled over a car in Coventry, Vermont, a small town about 20 miles from the Canadian border. LaSota published a dark and sometimes violent blog under the name 'Ziz'. One post described a theory that the hemispheres of the brain could hold separate values and genders and 'often desire to kill each other'. The alleged leader uses she/her pronouns and has railed against perceived enemies, including so-called rationalist groups, which discuss theories about human cognition and artificial intelligence online. The Associated Press said LaSota had not responded to multiple emails in recent weeks. Daniel McGarrigle, LaSota's attorney, declined to comment when asked if his client was connected to any of the deaths. Mr McGarrigle would only confirm to the news agency that he had represented LaSota and would not confirm the arrest, or any details of the latest case. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
18-02-2025
- Telegraph
‘Transgender vegan cult leader' arrested in US over six deaths
The alleged leader of a 'transgender vegan cult' linked to six deaths across the United States has been arrested in Maryland . Jack LaSota, 34, was arrested on Sunday with Michelle Zajko, 33, who is reportedly another member of the group, known as 'Zizians'. The group has been tied to the killing of David Maland, a US border patrol agent, and five other deaths in Vermont, Pennsylvania and California. Zizians are reported to include computer scientists, some of whom have allegedly worked for Google and Nasa. Members, most in their 20s and 30s, are said to have met online, and reportedly developed radical views on topics such as veganism, gender identity and artificial intelligence. LaSota and Ms Zajko face multiple charges including trespass, obstructing and hindering, and possession of a handgun. A bail hearing for the the two was scheduled for 11am local time Tuesday at Allegany District Court, in Cumberland. US officials have offered few details of the country-wide investigation, which intensified after Mr Maland was shot dead on Jan 20. The 44 year-old was killed in a shoot-out after he pulled over a car in Coventry, Vermont, a small town about 20 miles from the Canadian border. LaSota published a dark and sometimes violent blog under the name 'Ziz'. One post described a theory that the hemispheres of the brain could hold separate values and genders and 'often desire to kill each other'. The alleged leader uses she/her pronouns and has railed against perceived enemies, including so-called rationalist groups, which discuss theories about human cognition and artificial intelligence online. The Associated Press said LaSota had not responded to multiple emails in recent weeks. Daniel McGarrigle, LaSota's attorney, declined to comment when asked if his client was connected to any of the deaths.
