DOJ worker faces capital murder charge for allegedly slipping abortion drug into pregnant girlfriend's drink
Share and Follow

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A Justice Department worker was charged with capital murder for allegedly slipping an abortion drug into his pregnant girlfriend’s drink without her consent, forcing her to lose her baby, police said. 

Justin Banta, a 38-year-old information technology staffer, was taken into custody Friday following an incident that unfolded at a coffee shop in Tarrant County, Texas, last October, according to the Parker County Sheriff’s Office. 

“The victim reported that her boyfriend intentionally added ‘Plan C,’ (commonly known as the abortion drug) to her drink in order to force her to have an abortion without her knowledge or consent,” police said. 

In addition to a capital murder charge from the Texas Rangers, Banta was booked on one count of tampering with physical evidence. The Justice Department did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. 

U.S. Justice Department logo is seen at Justice Department headquarters in Washington

Justin Banta is an IT worker for the Department of Justice, the Parker County Sheriff’s Office said. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo)

Police said they interviewed Banta and collected his cell phone as evidence. During the interview, Banta admitted to buying the abortion drugs on his phone and said he knew investigators wanted to talk to him about the woman’s miscarriage, according to KDFW. 

“Sheriff’s 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 sheriff’s office said. 

Justice Department

The Justice Department did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

Banta was released from the Parker County Jail on Friday after posting a $500,000 bond for the capital murder charge and a $20,000 bond for the evidence-tampering charge, KDFW reported. 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
New York needs Elise Stefanik and more: Letters

Why New York’s Future Could Depend on Leaders Like Elise Stefanik: Reader Opinions

Come back, Elise It’s unfortunate that Rep. Elise Stefanik chose not to…
Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboardist for The Cure, dies at 65

Legendary The Cure Guitarist Perry Bamonte Passes Away at 65: A Tribute to His Musical Legacy

Perry Archangelo Bamonte, the renowned guitarist and keyboardist known for his long…
Florida bell ringer allegedly tries to 'impale' store manager with donation tripod while drunk

Florida Bell Ringer Accused of Attempting to Harm Store Manager with Donation Tripod in Alleged Drunken Incident

A Florida man employed as a Salvation Army bell ringer during the…
Kennedy Center president issues scathing letter to host who cancelled

Kennedy Center Chief Criticizes Host’s Cancellation in Strongly-Worded Letter

The president of the newly renamed Kennedy Center has sent a strongly…
Sam Bankman-Fried's ex-girlfriend set to be released from prison EARLY

Sam Bankman-Fried’s Former Partner to Receive Early Prison Release

Caroline Ellison, once romantically linked to disgraced cryptocurrency figure Sam Bankman-Fried, is…
Haunting final image of 19-year-old who vanished on Christmas Eve

Chilling Last Photo of Missing 19-Year-Old Sparks Christmas Eve Mystery

Footage from a neighbor’s security camera has recorded the last known moments…
How hurricanes help balance the planet's climate

Discover How Hurricanes Play a Crucial Role in Stabilizing Earth’s Climate

Hurricanes serve as potent reminders of our planet’s interconnectedness, illustrating how even…
NFL news: Chicago Bears can clinch NFC North with Green Bay Packers loss to Baltimore Ravens, or win over San Francisco 49ers

NFL Update: Chicago Bears Poised to Secure NFC North Title with Packers’ Defeat to Ravens or Victory Against 49ers

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Chicago Bears are on the brink of…