PARKER COUNTY, Texas – A Texas man has been arrested and accused of secretly placing abortion-inducing medication in his girlfriend’s drink, allegedly causing the loss of her pregnancy without her consent, officials said Wednesday.
Justin Anthony Banta, 38, was taken into custody last Friday in Parker County. He faces charges of tampering with evidence and capital murder. He was later released after posting a $500,000 bond.
According to the Parker County Sheriff’s Office, the woman told Banta in September 2023 that she was pregnant with his child. She later met him at a coffee shop in nearby Tarrant County, where she believes he spiked her drink without her knowledge.
The woman reported losing the pregnancy on October 19, which she suspects was the result of the medication Banta allegedly slipped into her drink.
Authorities said Banta, an IT employee with the U.S. Department of Justice, also reset his phone during the investigation, deleting data that could have been used as evidence.
Banta, who is separated from his wife, told investigators he had met the woman four times. His attorney, Michael Heiskell, denied all allegations, stating, “He’s innocent of these charges. He has cooperated with investigators from the beginning. He is not guilty.”
Heiskell added that there has been no confirmed evidence of pregnancy presented to Banta and acknowledged that while his client had researched Plan C, he did not administer any medication to the woman.
Under Texas law, nearly all abortions are banned, and abortion pills cannot be legally prescribed or dispensed within the state.
Related topics:
