Zizian Group Leader Held Without Bail in Homicide Case \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Jack LaSota, the alleged leader of the extremist group “Zizians,” was denied bail in Maryland after being arrested with two associates. LaSota, linked to six homicides across three states, has been described as a dangerous flight risk. The group, known for its anarchist ideology, has become the focus of a major multi-state investigation.
Cult Leader Jack LaSota Denied Bail: Quick Looks
- Leader of ‘Zizians’ Held: Jack LaSota, 34, of Berkeley, California, has been denied bail in Maryland.
- Multi-State Murders: The group is linked to six killings in California, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.
- Trespassing Charges in Maryland: LaSota, Michelle Zajko, and Daniel Blank were arrested after parking two box trucks on private property.
- Weapons Seized: Police found guns and ammunition on the suspects, connecting them to previous crimes.
- Border Patrol Shooting Link: Firearms tied to the group were used in the Vermont shootout that killed a U.S. Border Patrol agent.
- Radical Ideology: The group shares anarchist beliefs and discusses topics like AI, gender identity, and radical veganism.
Deep Look
Judge Deems LaSota a Flight Risk, Orders No Bail
Jack LaSota, the alleged leader of an extremist group known as the Zizians, was ordered held without bail in Maryland on Tuesday. The 34-year-old, who has been linked to six homicides across three states, appeared in Allegany District Court via videoconference alongside Michelle Zajko, 32, of Media, Pennsylvania, and Daniel Blank, 26, of Sacramento, California. The judge ruled that all three posed a significant flight risk and should remain in custody until trial.
During the hearing, Allegany County State’s Attorney James Elliott emphasized that LaSota had previously faked their own death, making them an even greater flight risk. Elliott also described LaSota as the leader of a highly organized group of individuals who have been involved in a series of violent crimes, including murders in California, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.
Despite these claims, LaSota pleaded for pretrial release, saying they were homeless and lacked the resources to flee.
“I haven’t done anything wrong,” LaSota told the judge, speaking in a halting manner. They also requested a vegan diet, stating they were in a “mild state of delirium” due to lack of food.
Arrest in Maryland: Trespassing Leads to Bigger Discovery
The arrests stemmed from a trespassing complaint in Frostburg, Maryland, where a local resident called authorities after discovering three individuals had parked two box trucks on his property and requested to camp there for a month.
When police arrived, they found LaSota, Zajko, and Blank dressed entirely in black, with two of them wearing gun belts loaded with ammunition. Officers also discovered:
- A rifle in the back of one truck
- A handgun on the front floorboard
- Another handgun in Zajko’s possession, which she refused to surrender during the arrest
As a result of the search, Zajko faces additional charges for illegally carrying a firearm and resisting arrest. LaSota was also charged with having a gun inside a vehicle.
Links to Deadly Border Patrol Shooting in Vermont
Prosecutors quickly linked the group’s activities in Maryland to a far more serious crime—the killing of a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Vermont.
According to Elliott, two firearms recovered from the group’s Maryland arrest were traced back to a January 20 traffic stop in Coventry, Vermont, where Border Patrol Agent Chris Maland, 44, was fatally shot. A passenger in the car, Felix Bauckholt, was also killed, while the driver, Teresa Youngblut, survived and has pleaded not guilty to federal firearms charges.
Investigators discovered that the guns used in the Vermont shooting had been purchased by Michelle Zajko, connecting her directly to the crime.
Pennsylvania Murders: The Deaths of Richard and Rita Zajko
Authorities have also linked the group to another crime in Pennsylvania—the murders of Richard and Rita Zajko in Chester Heights, Pennsylvania, on December 31, 2022. The victims were the parents of Michelle Zajko, one of LaSota’s co-defendants.
According to Pennsylvania State Police records, a person of interest connected to the murders of Richard and Rita Zajko had purchased the same weapons that were later used in the Vermont shooting.
California Landlord Murder and Earlier Attack
Investigators believe that the Zizians’ violent activities began in California, where members of the group were linked to the stabbing death of Curtis Lind, a Vallejo landlord, on January 17, 2023.
Lind had been previously attacked by Zizian members in 2022 but survived and was scheduled to testify against them. Before he could take the stand, he was brutally murdered in his home.
Authorities have charged Maximilian Snyder—who applied for a marriage license with Teresa Youngblut in November—with Lind’s murder. Prosecutors believe Lind’s killing was a targeted attack orchestrated by the Zizians to prevent him from testifying.
Who Are the Zizians? A Cult with Radical Beliefs
The Zizians have been described as an extremist, cult-like group of young professionals, primarily in their 20s and 30s, who share an anarchist ideology. Most of them met online, bonding over a mix of beliefs, including:
- Artificial intelligence and transhumanism
- Radical veganism and environmental extremism
- Gender identity and social rebellion
- Anti-government and anarchist views
At the center of this movement is Jack LaSota, known online as Ziz, a transgender woman who has published dark and sometimes violent writings on the internet.
Authorities believe LaSota’s influence radicalized many members, leading to an increase in the group’s violent activities. While the exact goals of the group remain unclear, their actions suggest a pattern of targeted violence against landlords, law enforcement, and perceived enemies.
Defense Attorneys Cite Education, Mental Health in Bail Request
Despite the serious charges, LaSota’s defense attorney, Rebecca Francoeur-Breeden, argued that her client should be released on bail due to their educational background and lack of criminal history.
“This is a very, very bright person we’re dealing with,” she told the judge, noting that LaSota has a degree in computer engineering.
Francoeur-Breeden also represented Zajko and Blank, arguing that both had impressive academic achievements and no prior convictions.
- Zajko holds a master’s degree and has an extensive list of professional internships.
- Blank, described as a “brilliant young man,” has been struggling with severe mental health issues and was previously listed as a missing or endangered person.
Blank’s stepfather also testified, stating that he had not seen Blank in two years but was willing to provide housing if his stepson were released.
Federal Investigation Expands: Authorities Searching for More Members
The Zizians are now the subject of a massive multi-state investigation involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
- The FBI, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are collaborating to trace the group’s movements and activities.
- The Canadian government has been contacted regarding potential links between the Zizians and extremist networks in Toronto and Vancouver.
Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that additional members of the Zizians remain at large, posing a continued threat.
What Happens Next?
With LaSota, Zajko, and Blank now in custody, prosecutors are working to:
- Determine the full extent of the Zizian network
- Investigate whether additional members are involved in violent crimes
- Secure evidence from seized electronic devices and online communications
Authorities are also searching for any financial backers or organizations that may have assisted the Zizians in their cross-country travels.
LaSota and their co-defendants remain in custody in Maryland, awaiting further court proceedings. Given the serious nature of the allegations, it is likely they will face extradition to multiple states to stand trial for murder and other violent crimes.
Zizian Group Leader
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