Overview

• In October 2024 the woman, six weeks pregnant with a healthy fetus by sonogram, met Banta at a coffee shop in Tarrant County where she suspects he slipped “Plan C” into her drink.
• The victim miscarried on October 19 and reported the incident, triggering a joint investigation by the Parker County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers.
• Banta was arrested June 6 and charged with capital murder in Tarrant County and tampering with evidence in Parker County after authorities allege he remotely reset his confiscated phone.
• Employed as a network administration section chief at the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Grand Prairie Office Complex, he posted $500,000 bond for the murder charge and $20,000 for evidence tampering.
• His attorney disputes the allegations and vows to mount a vigorous defense as prosecutors prepare to bring the case to trial.