The 38-year-old man faces capital murder and is tampering with the charges of ending his girlfriend’s pregnancy without consent or knowledge, investigators announced earlier this week.
The alleged incident was reported in October 2024 from the Parker County Sheriff’s Office in Texas, Texas, about 35 miles west of Fort Worth.
The unidentified woman reportedly dating the suspect has been identified as Justin Anthony Banta, a Texas resident and employee of the U.S. Department of Justice, and told sheriff’s investigators that she notified her 38-year-old child in September 2024 that she was pregnant.
Banta suggested online ordering a drug plan C that induces abortion, telling her that she would cover the costs of the abortion.
“The victim informed Banta of his desire to have a baby,” investigators said.
On October 17, 2024, at about six weeks of pregnancy, the woman received a sonogram from a doctor and reported a healthy pregnancy with strong vital signs and heartbeat.
On the same day, Banta met a woman at a coffee shop. There, the victim believes that she “added abortion-inducing pills to her drink without her knowledge or permission.”
The next day, the victim reported very severe fatigue and bleeding and went to the emergency room. On October 19, sheriff’s investigators said the woman lost her pregnancy.
Justin Anthony Banta, 38, a Texas resident. (Parker County Sheriff’s Office)
During the investigation, the 38-year-old’s mobile phone was confiscated as evidence.
Sheriff’s investigators believe that Banta, who works in the DOJ IT department, will remotely access the device, perform a reset, and “thus removing any important evidence related to the case.”
On June 6, authorities arrested Banta for tampering with physical evidence and charges of capital murder from the Texas Rangers. The 38-year-old was later released after posting $500,000 bail.
A federal IT worker reported by NBC News reported, and his lawyers denied the allegations and said Banta was allegedly a victim.
A former US Sal federal building accidentally detained by an ICE agent
Banta’s lawyer Michael Heisel has been working with investigators since last fall when his client ended his relationship with the woman, and so far, law enforcement has not shown Banta any evidence that the woman is in fact pregnant.
“There was an argument that she was pregnant, but it was never confirmed to her with him. And yes, he did Research Design C.
The Parker County Sheriff’s Department has cooperated with the investigation to thank the coffee shop owners and staff, but has not said whether there is potential video evidence related to the incident.
In Texas, almost all abortions are prohibited, and abortion-inducing drugs are not accessible through state doctors and pharmacists. However, residents can take the medication through online providers.
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