7:25 pm - February 24, 2025
A recent investigation has shed light on a fringe group known as the “Zizians,” whose activities have been linked to a tragic shooting incident involving a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Vermont. The group’s name is derived from its founder, Jack Amadeus LaSota, a 34-year-old transgender computer engineer who goes by the nickname “Ziz.” LaSota, who identifies as female, established the group as a collective of vegan activists, primarily based on the West Coast. The Zizians gained national attention after the fatal shooting of Border Patrol Agent David “Chris” Maland on January 20, 2024, near the U.S.-Canada border. This incident has unraveled a web of violence and extremism tied to the group, prompting law enforcement to investigate their activities and connections to other crimes.
The Vermont shooting occurred during a confrontation between Border Patrol agents and two individuals, Felix “Ophelia” Bauckholt, a German national, and Teresa “Milo” Consuelo Youngblut, a student at the University of Washington. Bauckholt and Youngblut were traveling in a Prius, with Bauckholt listed as the registered owner of the vehicle. Court documents revealed that Bauckholt’s visa had expired, according to a Department of Homeland Security database. During the encounter, Youngblut allegedly drew and fired a handgun at one of the agents without warning. The incident escalated into a shootout, resulting in the deaths of both Bauckholt and Agent Maland. Youngblut was injured in the exchange and later charged with aggravated assault on a federal officer and using a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.
The investigation into the Vermont shooting has uncovered deeper ties to the Zizians, a group that exhibits cult-like behavior. According to Dar Dixon, a cult expert and host of the podcast “The Art of Being Dar,” the Zizians manipulate their members through a combination of restrictive dietary practices, sexual identity exploration, and emotional control. Dixon explained that the group’s focus on veganism and sexual identity creates a vulnerable environment for recruitment. “You’re dealing with transgender human beings, sexuality, and sex—these are powerful tools for manipulation,” he noted. By combining these elements with restrictive dietary practices, the group establishes behavioral control over its members, making it difficult for them to critically evaluate their actions or question the group’s ideology.
Dixon also highlighted the use of sleep deprivation as a method of control, which he believes is common within the Zizians. Citing cult expert Steven Hassan’s BITE Model of Authoritarian Control, Dixon explained how cults like the Zizians exert emotional and psychological control over their members. “Sleep deprivation affects your thoughts, emotions, and ability to process information,” he said. This, combined with strict adherence to group norms and the suppression of individual emotions, creates an environment where members become increasingly dependent on the group and its leader. Dixon emphasized that this form of control allows cult leaders to manipulate their followers into committing acts they would otherwise never consider, including violence.
The Zizians’ connection to violence extends beyond the Vermont shooting. Federal prosecutors have linked the firearms used in the incident to a person of interest in a double homicide in Pennsylvania. Additionally, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that law enforcement is investigating six deaths tied to associates of LaSota. These allegations suggest that the Zizians are part of a larger network of extremist activity, with members potentially involved in multiple violent crimes across the country. Youngblut’s associations with individuals suspected of violent acts have raised further concerns about the group’s role in fostering and enabling criminal behavior. Federal prosecutors have warned that her connections to such individuals warrant caution, as they may indicate a broader pattern of violence within the group.
The Zizians’ story serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of extremist ideologies and the manipulative tactics employed by cults. By targeting vulnerable individuals and exploiting their identities, beliefs, and lifestyles, groups like the Zizians create an environment where members are conditioned to accept violence as a means of achieving their goals. The tragic events in Vermont and the ongoing investigations into the group’s activities highlight the importance of understanding and addressing the root causes of extremism. As authorities continue to uncover the full extent of the Zizians’ involvement in violent crimes, their case serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of manipulation and control.