The alleged leader of the Zizians, a self-described “vegan transgender anarchist rationalist” group, has been slapped with more gun charges after his recent arrest. His group is linked to a spate of murders across the US.
Nine more gun-related misdemeanor charges have been added to the case against Jack Amadeus LaSota, 34, which include carrying a concealed weapon and loaded handguns, as well as possession of an assault weapon.
LaSota, aka “Ziz,” is considered to be the leader of the Zizian group, which has been linked to homicides in California, Vermont and Pennsylvania.
He was arrested by Maryland State Police on 16 February along with Michelle Jacqueline Zajko, 32, of Media, Pennsylvania, and Daniel Arthur Blank, 26, of Sacramento, California, after they asked a man to camp on his property. He reported them to the police as “suspicious.”
Members of the Zizians have been linked to the killing of a landlord in Vallejo, California, a shootout in Vermont that left a Border Patrol agent dead, and the killing of Zajko’s parents in Pennsylvania.
Rita and Richard Zajko were shot and killed at their Chester Heights, Pennsylvania, home on 31 December 2022, their daughter’s birthday.
Guns purchased by Michelle Zajko have been linked to the shooting of Border Patrol agent David Maland in January. Teresa Youngblut is now standing trial for her part in the shooting. Her accomplice, Felix Bauckholt, was killed when Border Patrol agents returned fire.
Youngblut is linked to Maximilian Snyder, who is alleged to have killed Curtis Lind, his landlord, in Vallejo, California. Snyder was arrested in January and charged with murder. LaSota was apparently present at the scene; although he wasn’t charged.
LaSota, who identifies as female, is well known in the California rationalist movement. He has written extensive blog posts about anarchism and veganism.
He also served as an intern at NASA.
His next scheduled court appearance is 8 April.