DOJ Employee Faces Murder Charge for Allegedly Providing Abortion Drug to Girlfriend

A Texas man employed by the Department of Justice is facing serious legal repercussions, including charges of capital murder, stemming from allegations that he secretly administered an abortion-inducing drug to his pregnant girlfriend, resulting in her miscarriage. The incident reportedly occurred in October 2024 and has drawn significant attention due to the controversial nature of the case.

According to information released by the Parker County Sheriff’s Office, 38-year-old Justin Banta learned of his girlfriend’s pregnancy in September 2024, after they had been dating for approximately one month. The woman, whose identity remains confidential, expressed her intention to carry the pregnancy to term. However, Banta allegedly informed her that he had ordered “Plan C,” a known abortion-inducing medication.

The situation escalated during a sonogram appointment on October 16, 2024, when the unborn child’s health appeared stable at six weeks of gestation. On the same day, Banta met his girlfriend at a Black Rifle Coffee Company in Benbrook, where surveillance footage captured him handing her a drink that he had purchased prior to her arrival.

The following day, after consuming the entire beverage, the woman began to experience severe discomfort, including pain, fatigue, and heavy bleeding. Concerned about her symptoms, she sought medical attention at an emergency room where subsequent imaging revealed significant internal bleeding and a diminished fetal heartbeat. Tragically, she suffered a miscarriage the subsequent day.

Suspicious of Banta’s actions, she reported her concerns to the Benbrook Police Department. The investigation was then passed to the Parker County Sheriff’s Office, aided by the Texas Rangers. When Banta attempted to meet with the woman again, law enforcement intervened and subsequently conducted an interview with him.

During the investigation, Banta claimed he had indeed purchased “Plan C” pills and voluntarily surrendered his cellphone to authorities. However, in a subsequent turn of events, it was found that the device had been reset and removed from airplane mode, raising suspicions that he may have deliberately erased crucial evidence related to the case. Banta denied any wrongdoing concerning the phone’s reset and modification.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, Banta has been charged with murder in Tarrant County and tampering with evidence in Parker County. He was booked into custody last Friday but released on bond later that same day. The Parker County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the cases against him remain active and are pending prosecution.

This case not only illustrates the complexities surrounding individual rights and reproductive health but also raises significant legal and ethical questions that are likely to resonate widely in the coming months.