CUMBERLAND, Md. (AP) — The violent deaths linked to the group known as Zizians stopped at six a year ago, following the killing of a U.S. border agent and the arrests of three cult members in Maryland due to gun and trespassing charges.
Police investigations have identified key Zizians—Jack “Ziz” LaSota, Michelle Zajko, and Daniel Blank—as connected to homicide cases in several states. Their life in isolated box trucks was disrupted last February when local landowners discovered them, leading to further scrutiny and arrests.
“All suspects involved are to be questioned regarding other crimes that have occurred across the country and have ties with the Zizians Cult,” wrote Maryland state Trooper Brandon Jeffries, acknowledging a broader investigation. However, legal proceedings against them have progressed slowly.
Dubbed the Zizians by outsiders, these young individuals, skilled in computer science, are associated with extreme beliefs surrounding veganism, animal rights, gender identity, and artificial intelligence. Their criminal history includes a series of violent acts, notably the death of a fellow member and subsequent retaliatory violence.
Claims of Justice Denied
Jury selection was supposed to begin this week in Cumberland for LaSota, Zajko, and Blank, who face multiple drug possession and gun charges. The proceedings have been pushed back until June partly due to Zajko’s recent change of legal representation.
In her self-filed documents, she alleged rights violations, questioning the integrity of law enforcement and the judicial process, describing the situation as a massive cover-up influenced by systemic inequalities.
The Shootout and Its Aftermath
Furthermore, Zajko is implicated in a shootout in Vermont in January 2025, where she is accused of providing firearms used by other Zizians. The firefight resulted in the death of a border patrol agent, escalating tensions surrounding the group even further.
Claims by Zajko and other members contend that the suspensions of legal actions and investigations are efforts by authorities to suppress evidence related to their cases, leading to public outcries against the treatment of the Zizians as political scapegoats.
Ongoing Investigations Across States
The Zizians’ violent legacy continues to affect multiple jurisdictions. Two other key members face serious charges linked to a California landlord's murder. As these cases unfold, the group's legal and existential plight remains precarious, with trials repeatedly postponed due to various legal intricacies.
Meanwhile, LaSota faces another federal charge regarding his past evasive actions following earlier accusations of violence related to the cult.
As the Zizians vertically integrate their defense strategies from within the prison system, the implications of their trial will resonate far beyond the courtroom, reflecting deeper societal issues regarding justice, systemic bias, and the treatment of marginalized groups.
