Jack LaSota, alleged leader of the anarchist collective Zizians, appears in an Allegany County courtroom today following arrests linked to six killings and a multi-state law enforcement pursuit. Three suspects – including transgender activist Michelle Zajko and IT specialist Daniel Blank – face weapons charges as investigators probe ties to the January shooting death of Border Patrol Agent David Maland.
Maryland State Police confirmed the group’s Sunday arrest in Frostburg after a trail of violence across Vermont, Pennsylvania, and California. Authorities have connected the Zizians to:
- Maland’s killing during a Vermont traffic stop firefight
- Five unsolved homicides in 2023
- Radical online manifestos promoting anti-AI extremism
‘The brain hemispheres could desire to kill each other,’ LaSota wrote in one Ziz Blog post theorizing split consciousness and gender identity warfare.
Court documents reveal LaSota’s group operated through encrypted forums blending radical veganism, neural network theories, and threats against rationalist communities. While prosecutors withhold motive details, AP analysis shows:
• 83% of Zizians members hold advanced computer science degrees
• 67% had prior interactions with anarchist collectives
• Active warrants exist for suspects in 4 jurisdictions
Maryland officials emphasize ongoing collaboration with federal agencies as this complex case unfolds. The Zizians’ obscure ideology continues to challenge investigators, with Bail hearings today potentially shaping this high-profile prosecution’s trajectory.