CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Federal prosecutors have urged a judge to make a timely decision on whether to pursue the death penalty against Teresa Youngblut, a woman charged in the fatal shooting of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Maland in Vermont. Youngblut is affiliated with a cultlike group known as the Zizians, which has been linked to a series of violent crimes across multiple states, including six killings.
On January 20, the same day President Donald Trump rescinded the federal moratorium on executions, Youngblut allegedly opened fire on Agent Maland during a traffic stop. Attorney General Pam Bondi mandated the pursuit of the death penalty in cases involving the murder of law enforcement officers unless significant mitigating factors are identified. Youngblut's defense team claims that the timeline imposed by the government for making a determination is "radically inadequate" and "extraordinarily rushed."
The prosecutors have set a deadline of July 28 for Youngblut to articulate why the death penalty should not be sought against her. Despite her not yet being charged with a capital offense, they indicate that the investigation continues, and further charges may still be filed. Youngblut's attorneys are requesting to extend this deadline by six months, arguing that the current schedule undermines her ability to present a thorough defense regarding mitigating circumstances.
In a recent motion, Youngblut’s lawyers highlighted that extending the deadline until January 30, 2026, is essential for her to adequately prepare her submission to a committee that advises on capital cases. They argue that rushing the timeline transforms the process into "a near-pointless formality." However, prosecutors countered that granting such delays would interfere with the executive branch's decision-making rights. Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Dresser expressed that the judge lacks the authority to impose an obstruction on the government’s internal deliberations.
Currently, Youngblut faces charges of using a deadly weapon against law enforcement and discharging a firearm during an assault with a deadly weapon. The incident leading to these charges began when authorities observed Youngblut and her companion, Felix Bauckholt, at a Vermont hotel after being alerted by hotel staff about their suspicious activities, including carrying firearms and wearing tactical gear. During the confrontation, Youngblut allegedly fired at border agents, prompting a return of gunfire that resulted in Bauckholt's death and left Youngblut injured.
Both Youngblut and Bauckholt were followers of Jack LaSota, also known as Ziz, whose unconventional ideas on topics such as veganism and gender identity attracted a community of highly intelligent, anarchist-leaning computer scientists. The group has been implicated in multiple violent incidents, including the death of one of their own during an attack on a landlord in California in 2022, followed by the landlord's murder earlier this year, along with the deaths of a Pennsylvania couple in between these events.
LaSota and two accomplices were arrested in February in Maryland on weapons and drug charges, with LaSota facing additional federal charges for being an armed fugitive. Maximilian Snyder, who is accused of killing the California landlord, had previously applied for a marriage license with Youngblut. Additionally, an individual named Michelle Zajko, linked to the deaths in Pennsylvania, is also facing charges related to providing weapons to Youngblut in Vermont.
