Three individuals, Michelle Jacqueline Zajko, Daniel Arthur Blank, and Jack Amadeus LaSota, have been arrested in Allegany County, Maryland, after being connected to multiple killings across various states, including the January shooting of a border patrol officer in Coventry, Vermont. The trio was charged with several misdemeanors for trespassing on private property, bringing an end to the hunt for Zajko and LaSota, who were sought by law enforcement in connection with crimes in other states.
The arrest stemmed from a call made by a Frostburg resident who reported two white box trucks with chains on their tires trespassing on his property. The landowner found the individuals inside the trucks to be suspicious and contacted the authorities. Responding officers from the state police, Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources encountered the suspects on the property.
Upon approaching the vehicles, State Trooper Brandon Jeffries encountered Daniel Blank in one of the trucks, who claimed to have a learning disability and failed to comply with commands. Zajko and LaSota were found in the other truck, dressed in dark clothing and wearing gun belts. The arrest process was delayed due to their non-compliance, with Zajko even refusing to put her hands behind her back. A Sig Sauer handgun was discovered in Zajko’s possession, along with additional firearms in the truck.
Despite numerous requests, the suspects declined to provide their names and had to be identified through FBI photos. Blank is under investigation in connection with a double homicide in Pennsylvania, with one of the victims being Michelle Zajko’s parents. The trio is set to be questioned regarding other crimes across the country.
The suspects, collectively known as “Zizians,” are followers of a blog penned by LaSota under the alias “Ziz.” They were charged with trespassing on private property and obstructing and hindering a police officer. Zajko and LaSota faced additional charges related to firearm possession, with Zajko also being charged with resisting arrest.
The three individuals, Zajko, Blank, and LaSota, were booked into custody at the Allegany County Detention Center and are being held without bond. They are scheduled for a bail review hearing on Tuesday morning. The circumstances surrounding the arrests remain undisclosed, with one of the suspects, LaSota, being uncooperative during a meeting with a court commissioner.
Lt. Elizabeth Shoemake, the director of operations at the detention center, refrained from commenting on the arrests but noted that LaSota exhibited uncooperative behavior. Legal representation for the defendants was not confirmed, as attorney Daniel McGarrigle, who represented LaSota in a Pennsylvania case, refrained from commenting on the Maryland situation.
The arrests mark a crucial development in a series of killings that have unfolded across multiple states over the years. Following the shootout in Coventry that resulted in the death of a border patrol agent, Zajko was identified as a person of interest. Investigations revealed that Zajko had ties to the area, owning land in Derby and residing in Coventry with Blank.
This recent arrest is not the first time that Zajko, LaSota, and Blank have been detained together. In a previous incident in January 2023, the trio was arrested in Pennsylvania in connection with a homicide case. LaSota’s involvement in various crimes, including the homicide of their one-time landlord Curtis Lind, adds complexity to the ongoing investigation.
Authorities continue to collaborate with federal partners to delve deeper into the case and explore potential connections to other criminal activities. The FBI is actively pursuing leads and examining individuals with possible ties to the assault on Border Patrol Agent Maland, maintaining a vigilant stance as the investigation unfolds.
