Allegations Against a U.S. Justice Department Employee
A U.S. Justice Department employee, Justin Banta, has been accused of slipping abortion-inducing medication into his pregnant girlfriend’s drink. According to an arrest-warrant affidavit reviewed by The Dallas Morning News, Banta allegedly baked cookies laced with similar drugs.
The Incident at the Coffee Shop
In mid-October, Banta met with the woman, who is not his wife and was then six weeks pregnant, at a coffee shop in Burleson. He had asked to talk about the pregnancy, which he had previously urged her to terminate despite her repeated commitment to carrying it to term. A Texas Ranger investigator wrote in the affidavit obtained through an open records request.
Surveillance footage described in the affidavit shows Banta arriving at the coffee shop ahead of the woman and purchasing two drinks. He is seen placing an “unknown, white-colored substance” from what “appears” to be a small clear bag into one of the cups and stirring it, the affidavit says.
The footage also shows Banta retrieving a plate of homemade cookies prior to the woman arriving. During their meeting, the woman drank from the cup but did not eat the cookies — which were later obtained by authorities, sent to the FBI for testing, and found to contain mifepristone and misoprostol, drugs commonly taken together in abortions.
Consequences of the Incident
The woman miscarried days later, the affidavit says. Banta’s attorney, Michael Heiskell, disputed the allegations in a message to The News, describing the affidavit as a “hodgepodge jumbled mess of falsehoods and innuendo.”
“Actions and statements are taken out of context to make it appear that Justin is this cold-hearted killer,” Heiskell wrote in a message Wednesday. “The opposite is true.”
Charges Against Banta
Banta, 38, faces one count of capital murder and one count of tampering with physical evidence with intent to impair an investigation — which stems from allegations he remotely wiped data from his cell phone after providing it to authorities.
The Texas Ranger and a fellow investigator, the affidavit says, contacted multiple private and law enforcement laboratories to determine whether the woman’s blood, urine, or the fetal remains could be tested for the presence of mifepristone or misoprostol — which they found “did not currently exist.”
Investigation and Evidence
Days after Banta and the woman met, Banta returned to the coffee shop and asked management if police had asked to see their video cameras, the affidavit says.
Banta showed management a badge on his hip and claimed to be law enforcement, the affidavit says. The Texas Ranger wrote that Banta previously worked as a prison guard, possibly explaining where the badge came from.
Banta has most recently worked in information technology. The Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the Department of Justice, employs Banta as a network administration section chief for its Grand Prairie Office Complex.
Banta’s Background and Employment
The Texas Ranger interviewed the coffee shop employee who interacted with Banta and found “his actions did not fully amount to that of the offense of impersonating a peace officer,” the affidavit says.
The Texas Ranger also reviewed text messages between Banta and his wife, the affidavit says. The two discussed the woman’s pregnancy, including Banta’s ongoing efforts to persuade the woman to have an abortion, according to messages described in the affidavit.
Additional Charges and Allegations
In addition to capital murder, the Texas Ranger wrote that Banta’s alleged scheme — primarily the unknowing consumption of medications — constitutes the offenses of aggravated assault with serious bodily injury or assault.
Banta was booked into the Parker County jail Friday and posted bond the same day, according to jail records.
Conclusion
The allegations against Justin Banta are severe and disturbing. The incident has raised concerns about the actions of a U.S. Justice Department employee and the potential consequences of his alleged actions. As the investigation continues, it is essential to consider the evidence and the potential implications of the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the allegations against Justin Banta?
A: Justin Banta is accused of slipping abortion-inducing medication into his pregnant girlfriend’s drink and baking cookies laced with similar drugs.
Q: What are the charges against Banta?
A: Banta faces one count of capital murder and one count of tampering with physical evidence with intent to impair an investigation.
Q: What is Banta’s employment background?
A: Banta has most recently worked in information technology and is employed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons as a network administration section chief.
Q: What is the status of the investigation?
A: The investigation is ongoing, and Banta has been booked into the Parker County jail and posted bond.
Q: What are the potential consequences of Banta’s alleged actions?
A: The potential consequences of Banta’s alleged actions are severe and could result in significant harm to the woman and her unborn child.
