Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) – The U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday, August 14, that it will pursue the death penalty against the woman charged with murdering a Border Patrol agent originally from Minnesota.
In a press release, the DOJ confirmed that 21-year-old Teresa Youngblut of Seattle has been indicted on four federal counts, including the murder of Border Patrol Agent David Christopher “Chris” Maland, 44.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi officially authorized the pursuit of capital punishment. Acting U.S. Attorney Michael P. Drescher filed the government’s formal notice of intent to seek the death penalty.
“The United States Attorney’s Office intends to continue to honor the men and women of law enforcement, and the memory of Border Patrol Agent Maland, by performing its prosecutorial duties so that justice may be done,” Drescher said.
According to federal prosecutors, the fatal incident occurred on January 20 during a traffic stop in Vermont. Youngblut allegedly exited her vehicle and opened fire without warning, killing Maland. She is also accused of assaulting two additional agents with a deadly weapon and faces related firearms charges.
Investigators say Youngblut is allegedly associated with the “cultlike” Zizian group, which has been linked to several violent crimes, according to the Associated Press.
Maland, who was born in Blue Earth, Minnesota, and grew up in Fairmont, was buried with full military honors at Fort Snelling on February 22.
This case marks one of the rare instances where federal prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty in connection with the murder of a law enforcement officer.
For more information on how the DOJ handles capital punishment cases, visit the U.S. Department of Justice.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me): DOJ to Seek Death Penalty in Agent’s Killing