A federal grand jury in Vermont has indicted Teresa Youngblut, 21, of Seattle, Washington, on four counts including the murder of a U.S. Border Patrol agent and the assault of two other agents with a deadly weapon. The charges also include related firearms offenses.
“As alleged, this defendant shot and killed a United States Border Patrol Agent while he was performing his duties,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “We will not stand for such attacks on the men and women who protect our communities and our borders.”
“The United States Attorney’s Office intends to continue to honor the men and women of law enforcement, and the memory of Border Patrol Agent Maland, by performing its prosecutorial duties so that justice may be done,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michael P. Drescher for the District of Vermont.
“The murder of a federal agent is more than a tragic loss,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “It’s an attack on the security of our nation and the safety of our communities. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will not rest until those responsible are held accountable. We are all steadfast in our mission to curb violence that endangers both public servants and the citizens we are sworn to protect.”
According to court documents, on January 20, 2025, a U.S. Border Patrol agent stopped a Toyota Prius on Interstate 91 in Coventry, Vermont. Youngblut was in the vehicle along with a male German citizen whose immigration status was under review.
Earlier reports from law enforcement indicated that Youngblut and her companion had drawn attention days before when a hotel employee reported seeing them wearing tactical gear and possibly armed. On the day of the shooting, officers observed them at a Walmart parking lot in Newport, Vermont; at that time, Youngblut’s companion was seen wrapping unknown objects in aluminum foil.
During the traffic stop described in court documents, both individuals were allegedly armed when Youngblut exited their vehicle and opened fire without warning, killing one agent.
The maximum penalty for these charges is death. Attorney General Bondi has authorized capital punishment for this case and directed Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher to pursue it accordingly.
The investigation involved several agencies: FBI Albany Field Office led efforts with help from Vermont State Police; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Homeland Security Investigations; United States Border Patrol; Newport Police Department; and Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.
Trial Attorneys Lisa M. Thelwell and Dennis Robinson from the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section (VCRS), as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Lasher for Vermont are handling prosecution.
An indictment is an allegation only; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
