Southwest
DOJ worker faces capital murder charge for allegedly slipping abortion drug into pregnant girlfriend's drink
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.
TEXAS MAN ARRESTED FOR FATAL BEATING OF MOTHER DURING ‘EXORCISM’: POLICE
Justin Banta, 38, was arrested by the Parker County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, June 6, 2025.
The victim told investigators that she and Banta were in a “romantic relationship” in September 2024 when she discovered she was pregnant, the Parker County Sheriff’s Office said.
“The victim informed Banta of the pregnancy, who proposed to cover the cost [of] an abortion and suggested they order the ‘Plan C’ online. The victim informed Banta of her desire to keep the baby,” police added. “On Oct. 17, 2024, when the victim was approximately six-weeks pregnant, she went for a sonogram, where she learned the baby had a strong heartbeat, displayed good vital signs and was said to be healthy by her doctor.”
The woman said she then met Banta at a coffee shop later that day. Charging documents said Banta gave the victim a drink he purchased prior to her arrival, KDFW reported, adding that security camera footage showed she consumed the entire beverage.
“The next day, the victim stated she began to suffer from extreme fatigue and heavy bleeding, prompting her to visit the emergency room. The victim reported she lost her baby on Oct. 19, which she believed was a result of the drugs Banta had previously placed in her drink at the coffee shop without her permission,” according to the Parker County Sheriff’s Office.
SUSPECT ACCUSED OF STABBING TEXAS MAN 55 TIMES IDENTIFIED BY BLOODY SHOE PRINT
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.
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.
Read the full article from Here
Southwest
Texas launches effort to install TPUSA in every high school and college
Crowds gather for Turning Point USA event despite rain
Fox News correspondent Madison Scarpino says thousands of people are expected to attend a Turning Point USA event at Ole Miss University featuring Vice President JD Vance and Erika Kirk on ‘America Reports.’
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Texas is joining Oklahoma and Florida in trying to ensure that a Turning Point USA chapter is established at every high school and college within their state.
“I had a long call with Turning Point executives yesterday about putting TPUSA chapters on every high school and college campus in Texas,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick posted on X on Friday.
Patrick announced that he is pledging $1 million of campaign funds to launch new Turning Point USA Chapters across the Lone Star state.
TURNING POINT’S ‘CLUB AMERICA’ CHAPTERS AND WHY THEY’RE GROWING IN OKLAHOMA AND THE SOUTH
Patrick and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will be speaking at the University of Houston on Tuesday, hosted by the college’s TPUSA chapter, his post on X stated.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will be speaking at the University of Houston on Tuesday, hosted by the college’s TPUSA chapter. (Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“As we wrapped up the call, I shared a fond memory of Charlie from President Trump’s 2017 Inauguration. Charlie and I were going to the Trump Hotel to celebrate and walked in the door at the same time. We began a conversation from there,” he said.
“I committed a million dollars from my campaign to honor that young man from many years ago who shared his dream with me and in hopes others will follow at any amount — whether it’s $10 or much more. He gave his life for his mission. He gave his life for Christ,” Patrick said.
Patrick, who has already been endorsed by President Donald Trump for his re-election campaign, reported over $33.5 million in donations.
FLORIDA VOWS LEGAL ACTION AGAINST ANY EFFORTS TO BLOCK TPUSA CHAPTERS ON CAMPUS
Kirk’s assassination on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University has pushed TPUSA to its greatest prominence yet.
“I was always inspired by his mission ‘to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of freedom, free markets, and limited government.’ Charlie was confident he could do that. Later, he brought his faith into his discussions on campus with boldness and conviction that only grew his following,” Patrick said.
Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10. (Alex Brandon/The Associated Press)
Patrick added that since Kirk’s death, “over 135,000 requests have been made to start TPUSA chapters.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Texas-based TPUSA field representative Paige Rasmussen cited “unprecedented growth” of TPUSA chapters after Kirk’s assassination in a recent interview with Fox News Digital.
TURNING POINT USA SAYS CAMPUS CHAPTER REQUESTS SURGE TO OVER 32,000 AFTER KIRK’S ASSASSINATION
Other states that are seeking to install a TPUSA chapter at every high school and college are Florida and Oklahoma.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a partnership with TPUSA to ensure Club America chapters can be established in any high school in the Sunshine State.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced that he is pledging $1 million of campaign funds to launch new Turning Point USA Chapters across the Lone Star state. (David ‘Dee’ Delgado/Reuters)
In the wake of Kirk’s assassination, a growing number of high-schoolers and college students across the country have stepped up to start TPUSA chapters.
Read the full article from Here
Southwest
Pritzker says Trump ordering 400 members of the Texas National Guard to Illinois, Oregon and other locations
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced on Sunday that President Donald Trump will deploy 400 members of the Texas National Guard to Illinois, Oregon and other locations.
The deployment came as protests against federal law enforcement ramp up across the country, particularly in Portland and Chicago.
In the Windy City, multiple people were arrested in recent days for reportedly ramming their vehicles into DHS and ICE agents’ cars.
After announcing Trump’s deployment on X late Sunday, Pritzker wrote that “no officials from the federal government called me directly to discuss or coordinate.”
CHICAGO ANTI-ICE PROTESTERS BLOCK VEHICLES, GET HIT WITH TEAR GAS AND PEPPER BALLS
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker criticized President Trump’s decision to deploy 400 Texas National Guard troops to Illinois and Oregon. (Getty Images)
“We must now start calling this what it is: Trump’s Invasion,” the Democratic governor wrote.
“It started with federal agents, it will soon include deploying federalized members of the Illinois National Guard against our wishes, and it will now involve sending in another state’s military troops.”
Pritzker also disclosed that he called Texas Governor Greg Abbott to “immediately withdraw any support for this decision and refuse to coordinate.”
ANTI-ICE PORTLAND RIOTERS WITH GUILLOTINE CLASH WITH POLICE IN WAR-LIKE SCENES
Police clash with demonstrators during a protest outside an immigrant processing and detention center on Oct. 3, 2025 in Broadview, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
“There is no reason a President should send military troops into a sovereign state without their knowledge, consent, or cooperation,” the governor added.
“The brave men and women who serve in our national guards must not be used as political props. This is a moment where every American must speak up and help stop this madness.”
In response, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott defended his decision, writing on X that he had “fully authorized the President to call up 400 members of the Texas National Guard to ensure safety for federal officials.”
Law enforcement officers stand in tear gas outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility during a protest on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
He then added that federal and state leaders must “either fully enforce protection for federal employees or get out of the way and let the Texas Guard do it,” while praising the Guard’s “training, skill and expertise.”
Abbott also noted that thousands of Texas National Guard troops have remained along the southern border to assist with security operations.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom claimed the U.S. is “on the brink of martial law.”
In recent days, large numbers of protesters have rioted against immigration enforcement actions across the country. ICE shared a video of a Portland protester being wheeled into custody on Sunday.
ICE shared a video showing a suspect being rolled away on a flatbed cart in Portland, Oregon. (@ICEgov via X)
In Broadview, Illinois, on Friday, more than a dozen people were arrested by federal agents during protests at an ICE processing facility. Agents were seen firing pepper balls, tear gas and rubber bullets to clear crowds.
Read the full article from Here
Southwest
Dallas train shooting leaves 1 dead, second homicide on DART transit system in a week
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
One person is dead after a shooting on a Dallas Area Rapid Transit train Sunday night, marking the second deadly incident on the Texas train system in the past week.
The shooting happened near the Pearl/Arts District Station on Bryan Street around 7 p.m., according to FOX 4.
DART police responded after a caller reported an active shooter at the station, the outlet reported. One person was found dead from a gunshot wound on the train.
Details surrounding the incident are limited, but FOX 4 reported a suspect is in custody.
AMERICA’S COMMUTERS UNDER SIEGE AS VIOLENT TRANSIT CRIMES ENDANGER BLUE CITIES
Police responded to the DART train near Pearl/Arts District Station on Bryan Street after a passenger was shot and killed. (Jordan Bickerstaff via FOX 4)
Fox News Digital reached out to DART for comment, but did not hear back by the time of publication.
The deadly shooting comes less than a week after a man was killed on the DART train last Monday. DART police responded to the Market Center Station on Harry Hines Boulevard at around 10:15 p.m., FOX 4 reported on Wednesday.
Daniel Tom Gormley, 53, was found inside a train car with multiple gunshot wounds to his chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene after first responders attempted life-saving measures.
NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR SIGNS ‘IRYNA’S LAW’ AFTER UKRAINIAN REFUGEE’S BRUTAL TRAIN MURDER
One person is dead after a shooting on a DART train in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (Jordan Bickerstaff via FOX 4)
Gormley was a Marine veteran, according to a GoFundMe page aimed at helping the family pay for funeral costs.
“He was a victim of a senseless act of violence while aboard a train in Dallas, Texas, and was taken from us far too soon,” the fundraiser reads. “Our family is heartbroken and completely unprepared for the financial burden of planning a funeral and managing the associated costs. We are reaching out to our community for support during this devastating time.”
Daniel Tom Gormley, 53, was shot and killed on a DART train in Dallas on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (GoFundMe)
A DART rail operator reported to police that Gormley told the suspect to get off the train before the suspect fired a gun three times, according to FOX 4. It’s unclear what led to the exchange.
Gormley’s accused killer was identified as Christopher Clemson Akins and was taken into custody quickly, police said.
DART Police Chief Charles Cato said last Wednesday that such incidents are “extremely rare” and “taken very seriously.”
“DART Police remain deeply committed to the safety of our riders, employees, and the communities we serve,” Cato said, via FOX 4.
DART is a transit agency serving the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, offering multiple travel options: Light Rail, Trinity Railway Express commuter rail, bus routes, GoLink on-demand services and paratransit services.
Read the full article from Here
-
Austin, TX2 days agoHalf-naked woman was allegedly tortured and chained in Texas backyard for months by five ‘friends’ who didn’t ‘like her anymore’
-
Culture1 week agoVideo: Dissecting Three Stephen King Adaptations
-
Education1 week agoOpinion | New York City Mayoral Candidates: Who Would Be Best?
-
Seattle, WA6 days agoESPN scoop adds another intriguing name to Seahawks chatter before NFL trade deadline
-
San Diego, CA1 week agoAdd Nick Hundley, Ruben Niebla to list of Padres’ managerial finalists
-
Business1 week agoCommentary: Meme stocks are still with us, offering new temptations for novice and unwary investors
-
Business1 week ago
Disneyland Resort lays off 100 people in Anaheim
-
Politics1 week agoVirginia school district slapped with complaint alleging new claims in viral trans locker room fight