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2 figures in sprawling network of people linked to violence arrested in Maryland – VTDigger

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2 figures in sprawling network of people linked to violence arrested in Maryland – VTDigger


Two figures linked to multiple killings in several states, including the January shooting of a border patrol officer in Coventry, Vermont, were arrested Sunday evening in Allegany County, Maryland, according to county records. 

Michelle Jacqueline Zajko and Jack Amadeus LaSota — also known as “Ziz,” according to media reports — were arrested and charged with several misdemeanors, according to Maryland court records.

Both were charged with misdemeanor firearm possession charges, trespassing on private property and “obstructing & hindering” a police officer, according to court records. Zajko also faces an additional charge of resisting or interfering with arrest. 

Detailed information about the arrests and charges was not immediately available early Monday afternoon.

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Maryland State Police officer Brandon Jeffries, who is based in Cumberland, Maryland, carried out both arrests, according to county records. Zajko was booked into the Allegany County Detention Center at 6:12 p.m. Sunday, while LaSota was booked at 7:40 p.m. 

Jack LaSota, left, and Michelle Zajko were arrested Sunday in Allegany County, Maryland. Photos courtesy of Allegany County Sheriff’s Office

Lt. Elizabeth Shoemake, the director of operations at the Allegany County Detention Center, confirmed that LaSota and Zajko are currently detained at the facility.

Shoemake said she could not comment on the circumstances of the arrests, but she said that the two were not arrested based on a warrant, but rather “on-site activity.”

Both Zajko and LaSota have bail review hearings scheduled for tomorrow. 

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Federal law enforcement officials named Zajko as a “person of interest” in a Jan. 20 shootout in Coventry, Vermont that left a border patrol officer and another individual dead. According to property and municipal records, Zajko was at one point a Coventry resident and owns land in Derby. Media reports, court records and online blog posts have also linked LaSota to Zajko.

Lt. Jeremy Stonebraker​ of the Maryland State Police declined Monday afternoon to comment on the arrests of Zajko and LaSota.

“The investigators that are working on the case aren’t going to do any press releases at this time because the investigation is kind of fluid and ongoing and the FBI is involved now,”  Stonebraker said.

Stonebraker oversees the state police barracks that covers Allegany County, Maryland.  

A person answering the phone at the Allegany County state’s attorney’s office referred questions to a prosecutor handling the cases, but that person was not in the office at the time of the call. 

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A person answering a call to the FBI office in Baltimore, Maryland, said Monday afternoon that the office was closed due to the federal holiday of Presidents Day.

This story will be updated.





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Vermont

Vermont man allegedly touched child in a sexual manner

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Vermont man allegedly touched child in a sexual manner


GREENWICH, N.Y. (WNYT) – A Vermont man is accused of forcibly touching a child in a sexual manner.

Michael J. Lohnes, 42, of Rutland, was charged with misdemeanor counts of forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said.

The alleged incident happened back in the spring, and Lohnes knew the victim, according to investigators.

He was arraigned in Greenwich Town Court earlier this fall and the case is still pending.

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Power outages reported in Vermont Friday

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Power outages reported in Vermont Friday


BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Weather conditions this morning have left many without power across Vermont.

Data indicates that over 10,000 customers are impacted by outages as of 11:16 a.m. The most impacted areas include Middlebury, Burke and Cambridge.

To stay up-to-date on local outages, check out the VT Outages page, Green Mountain Power and follow us for more details on myChamplainValley.com.

A significant outage was previously reported about earlier this month. For more coverage on that, check out this video:

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Vermont offers criminal record clearing clinic to seal or expunge old cases

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Vermont offers criminal record clearing clinic to seal or expunge old cases


Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark will host a free criminal record clearing clinic on Thursday, January 15, 2025 in Brattleboro, the first to be held in the state since new expungement laws changed in July.

Sealing a record allows an individual to wipe from their criminal record specific convictions and dismissed charges after a certain period of time has passed, including records relating to contact with the criminal justice system, like arrest or citation, arraignment, plea or conviction, and sentencing. Under Vermont’s updated law, most misdemeanors, various non-violent felony offenses, and all dismissed charges can be sealed. The free clinic will focus on sealing criminal charges and convictions from Windham County, and will be open to the public by appointment only.

“For many years, my office has assisted Vermonters with clearing old criminal records that are holding them back from securing stable housing, getting better jobs, and participating fully in their communities,” said Attorney General Clark. “These clinics are a way for us to help Vermonters who have paid their debt to society and stayed out of trouble get a fresh start and strengthen the community as a whole. I want to thank Windham County State’s Attorney Steve Brown, Interaction, and the Brooks Memorial Library for their assistance in hosting this clinic.”

Attorneys from the Attorney General’s Office will offer free assistance with petitions for Vermont-specific “qualifying” criminal convictions and dismissed charges. Appointments will be available from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Vermonters must schedule appointments in advance by calling the Attorney General’s Office at 802-828-3171 or emailing AGO.Info@vermont.gov by Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Eligible participants will be given an in-person appointment at the Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro, Vermont, on the day of the clinic.

More information on sealing and expungements generally is available at Vermont Legal Aid’s website at www.vtlawhelp.org/expungement.

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