In a deeply troubling case, a Justice Department employee faces charges of capital murder after allegedly administering an abortion drug to his pregnant girlfriend without her consent, resulting in the loss of her unborn child.
The accused, Justin Banta, a 38-year-old IT staffer, was apprehended last Friday following an incident that occurred in October of the previous year at a coffee shop in Tarrant County, Texas, as detailed by the Parker County Sheriff's Office.
According to Fox News, the victim reported that Banta, her boyfriend, had deliberately introduced 'Plan C,' a drug commonly associated with abortion, into her drink to induce an abortion without her knowledge or agreement.
The Texas Rangers have charged Banta with capital murder, and he also faces an accusation of tampering with physical evidence. Despite requests for comment, the Justice Department has yet to respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.
The Parker County Sheriff's Office revealed that the victim and Banta were involved in a romantic relationship in September 2024, during which she discovered her pregnancy. "The victim informed Banta of the pregnancy, who proposed to cover the cost [of] an abortion and suggested they order the Plan C online.
The victim informed Banta of her desire to keep the baby," police added. On October 17, 2024, when the victim was approximately six weeks pregnant, she attended a sonogram appointment, where she was reassured of the baby's health and strong heartbeat.
Later that day, the woman met Banta at a coffee shop, where, according to charging documents, he handed her a drink he had purchased before her arrival. Security footage reportedly captured her consuming the entire beverage. "The next day, the victim stated she began to suffer from extreme fatigue and heavy bleeding, prompting her to visit the emergency room.
The victim reported she lost her baby on Oct. 19, which she believed was a result of the drugs Banta had previously placed in her drink at the coffee shop without her permission," according to the Parker County Sheriffs Office.
During the investigation, police interviewed Banta and seized his cell phone as evidence. Banta confessed to purchasing the abortion drugs via his phone and acknowledged that investigators were interested in discussing the woman's miscarriage, as reported by KDFW.
"Sheriffs investigators believe Banta, who works at the IT Department of the U.S. Department of Justice, later accessed the phone remotely and performed a reset, thereby deleting crucial evidence related to the case," the sheriffs office said.
Banta was released from the Parker County Jail after posting a $500,000 bond for the capital murder charge and an additional $20,000 bond for the evidence-tampering charge, according to KDFW.
This case raises significant concerns about personal autonomy and the sanctity of life, highlighting the need for a justice system that upholds these values. As the investigation unfolds, it underscores the importance of safeguarding individual rights and ensuring accountability for actions that violate them.
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