Jack Amadeus “Ziz” LaSota, the alleged leader of the cult-like “Zizian” group, has been apprehended in Maryland. LaSota, a 34-year-old who identifies as a transgender woman, was arrested alongside associates Michelle Zajko and Daniel Blank in Frostburg, Maryland, following an extensive manhunt. The trio faces multiple charges, including trespassing, obstruction and possession of a handgun.
Authorities have linked the Zizians to a series of violent incidents across the United States, notably the fatal shooting of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Maland in Vermont. The group, comprising young computer scientists with radical beliefs, has been under investigation for connections to six deaths in Vermont, Pennsylvania and California. (RELATED: America’s Newest Nightmare: Disturbing Link To Grisly Killing Spree Revealed)
The group, led by LaSota, is composed primarily of young computer scientists who met online and share radical beliefs. Their ideology blends extreme rationalism, ethical veganism, anarchism and discussions on gender identity. LaSota has promoted theories involving the separation of brain hemispheres and has been critical of mainstream rationalist groups. (RELATED: Musk’s Fight Against Ideological Capture) According to a report from The Times in the U.K., members consider themselves to be intellectually gifted and had previously worked at prestigious companies like Google:Exclusive: I have obtained the first known video revealing the voice of trans terror cult leader Jack Amadeus “Ziz” LaSota. In 2013, at 22 years old, LaSota interned for NASA, developing space weather visualization software. He had just graduated from the Univesity of Alaska… pic.twitter.com/VKmoV8UPtR
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) February 11, 2025
Jack Amadeus “Ziz” LaSota, described as the group’s leader, was on the run along with three followers, according to police, while three others were arrested on murder charges. The FBI said Teresa Youngblut, 21, had been charged with the death of Maland. The alleged Zizian member also killed in the shooting was named as Felix Bauckholt, a 26-year-old German. Jessica Taylor, a woman who knew Bauckholt, described the Zizians as a group of “highly intelligent, transgender, vegan” individuals. LaSota, 34, has been in custody since Sunday, held on charges including “trespass on private property, handgun in vehicle and obstructing and hindering”, according to Allegany County sheriff’s office records. LaSota, who is originally from Alaska, has previously identified as a transgender woman, but is listed in the sheriff’s database as male.
The alleged leader of vegan transgender cult is linked to 6 murders. Jack LaSota is allegedly the leader of Zizians. The cult is linked to six murders across the country including a border patrol agent. LaSota claimed in court that he didn’t do anything wrong, but the judge… pic.twitter.com/v2nLMTzebh
— Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) February 18, 2025
Zajko was previously questioned over the deaths of her elderly parents on New Year’s Eve 2022. Richard Zajko, 71, and his wife, Rita, 69, were shot dead in their home in Chester Heights, Pennsylvania. A doorbell camera captured audio and video of a car pulling up at the house, with a voice shouting, “Mom!” according to a Pennsylvania state police affidavit.LaSota, Zajko and Blank are being held without bail. The judge cited concerns about all three being flight risks and potential threats to the community. However, LaSota’s attorney, Daniel McGarrigle, has maintained his client’s innocence, claiming LaSota is “wholly and unequivocally innocent of the charges filed in this case.” Authorities are continuing to investigate the group’s activities and potential connections to other incidents. They are also seeking additional members who may be involved in related plots.
