Authorities are investigating a potential link between the suspected killing of a US Border Patrol agent in Vermont and a fringe group of vegan activists on the West Coast. The investigation has revealed connections between the suspects and Jack 'Ziz' LaSota, a cult figure in California, who espoused artificial intelligence theories, ethical reasoning, and veganism.
The suspected killers of a Border Patrol agent in Vermont are reportedly linked to a fringe group of vegan activists on the West Coast, whose members have been connected to a series of crimes. German national Felix 'Ophelia' Bauckholt and University of Washington student Teresa 'Milo' Consuelo Youngblut were tied to Jack 'Ziz' LaSota, a cult figure in the Bay Area in California, according to the Boston Globe.
The group adhered to artificial intelligence theories, ethical reasoning, and veganism, the outlet reported, citing a former friend of the pair, Jessica Taylor. 'They have this sort of anarchist, vegan critique of society,' Taylor told the outlet, stating that they believed 'you might do some violence that your society disapproves of, but your society does violence anywhere.' Authorities recently launched a manhunt for Michelle Zajko, who has also been linked to the West Coast fringe group, in the killing of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David 'Chris' Maland. It remains unclear what brought members of the group to Vermont. Law enforcement agencies in several states are searching for Zajko, who is considered 'armed and dangerous,' Albany’s Times Union reported, citing police records. Maland was shot and killed near the Canada-Vermont border on January 20, and Youngblut, 21, was taken into custody. 'The United States Attorney’s Office District of Vermont has charged Youngblut with assault on a federal law enforcement officer,' the FBI’s office in Albany said at the time. 'Our hearts remain with our partners at U.S. Border Patrol Swanton Sector as they mourn this tremendous loss.' Maland was shot and killed during a traffic stop of Youngblut between Newport and Orleans, Vermont. Her passenger, Bauckholt, was also armed but was fatally shot by federal agents after Youngblut opened fire, authorities said. Zajko allegedly bought .40-caliber and .380-caliber handguns in February 2024 in Mount Tabor, Vermont, that were used in Maland’s shooting, the Times Union reported, citing court documents. Zajko is also considered a 'person of interest' in a double murder in Pennsylvania and another murder in California, prosecutors revealed, without naming her. Maland, a Minnesota native and U.S. Air Force veteran, worked as a Border Patrol agent at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Newport Station. He spent nine years in the military and 15 working for the federal government. He was also a K-9 handler and previously served as a Border Patrol agent in Texas near the southern border, Maland's family told The Associated Press. 'On January 20, 2025, at approximately 3:00 pm, an on-duty, uniformed United States Border Patrol (USBP) Agent initiated a stop of a blue 2015 Toyota Prius Hatchback with North Carolina license plate ... to conduct an immigration inspection as it was driving southbound on Interstate 91 in Coventry, Vermont,' an FBI criminal complaint obtained by Fox News states. 'The registered owner of the vehicle, Felix Baukholt, a citizen of Germany, appeared to have an expired visa in a Department of Homeland Security database. Youngblut was driving the Prius, and Baukholt was the lone passenger in the Prius. 'Between approximately 3:00 pm and 3:15 pm, agents reported gunshots at the scene,' the affidavit added. 'Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Cameron Thompson was notified of the incident and responded to the scene of the stop, arriving at approximately 3:35 pm. 'He spoke with two of the Border Patrol Agents involved in the incident. They described that both Baukholt and Youngblut possessed firearms and that Youngblut drew and fired a handgun toward at least one of the uniformed Border Patrol Agents without warning when outside the driver's side of the Prius.' The FBI’s Albany office shared a statement with Fox News Digital that said: 'As stated in open court and in court filings, Teresa Youngblut is believed to have associations with other individuals suspected of violent acts in multiple states, to include Pennsylvania and California. The FBI is coordinating information sharing on any case related details with our partners from various law enforcement agencies to effectively follow every lead and aggressively investigate these connections. 'As part of the continuous dialogue with those partners, especially following an assault on a law enforcement officer, the FBI routinely shares appropriate law enforcement information about potential persons of interest to enhance officer safety and situational awareness. As this is an ongoing investigation, the FBI cannot comment further on any additional details not included in the court filings.' Fox News' Greg Norman contributed to this report
BORDER PATROL AGENT VERMONT KILLING VEGAN ACTIVISTS FRINGE GROUP CRIME CALIFORNIA SUSPECTS INVESTIGATION GUN VIOLENCE
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