The alleged leader of the cultlike group known as the Zizians has been arrested in Maryland, alongside another group member, according to Maryland State Police.
Two Suspects Taken Into Custody
Authorities confirmed that Jack Lasota, 34, was taken into custody on Sunday along with Michelle Zajko, 33, of Media, Pennsylvania. Both face multiple charges, including trespassing, obstruction, hindering, and possession of a handgun in a vehicle.
A bail hearing for both suspects is scheduled for Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Allegany District Court.
Ties to a U.S. Border Patrol Agent’s Murder
The Zizians have been linked to the January 20 killing of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Maland near the Canadian border, as well as five other homicides across Vermont, Pennsylvania, and California.
Maland, 44, was shot and killed following a traffic stop in Coventry, Vermont, just 20 miles from the Canadian border. His murder helped unravel a cross-country investigation into the group’s violent activities.
A Group of Intelligent but Dangerous Extremists
The Zizians are reportedly a network of highly intelligent computer scientists in their 20s and 30s who met online and bonded over anarchist beliefs. Their goals remain unclear, but their online writings cover radical veganism, gender identity, and artificial intelligence.
Who Is ‘Ziz’?
At the center of the group is “Ziz,” the apparent cult leader, who has been seen near multiple crime scenes and has direct connections to several suspects.
LaSota, who identifies as a transgender woman and uses she/her pronouns, ran a disturbing blog under the name Ziz. In her writings, she proposed violent and bizarre theories—including the belief that the two hemispheres of the brain could hold separate values, genders, and a desire to kill each other.
She also targeted so-called rationalist groups—online communities that explore human cognition, reason, and artificial intelligence.
Legal Troubles and Arrest Warrants
Before her arrest, LaSota had already missed court appearances in two states, leading to bench warrants for her arrest.
Her attorney, Daniel McGarrigle, has declined to comment on whether she is directly connected to any of the murders. When contacted on Monday, he would only confirm that he has represented LaSota but would not discuss her arrest or any details of the case.
Authorities continue to investigate the Zizian group and their growing trail of violence across multiple states.
