Overview
- Justin Anthony Banta, 38, a DOJ network administration section chief, was taken into custody on June 6 and faces capital murder and evidence tampering counts.
- Prosecutors say he slipped abortion-inducing pills into his six-weeks-pregnant girlfriend’s drink at a Tarrant County coffee shop, and she miscarried two days later.
- After turning over his phone to investigators, Banta is accused of remotely wiping it, leading to forensic orders and specialist reviews.
- He posted $500,000 bond for the murder charge and $20,000 for the tampering count, securing release on a combined $520,000 bond.
- His attorney disputes the claims as fallout from a troubled relationship while the Texas Rangers, FBI, Benbrook Police and other agencies continue their probe.