FORT WORTH, TX – A North Texas man is facing severe legal repercussions after being accused of administering a drug to his girlfriend with the intent of terminating her pregnancy. The Parker County Sheriff’s Office has charged 38-year-old Justin Anthony Banta with capital murder and tampering with evidence following the incident involving a medication known as the Plan C pill.
Authorities allege that in October 2024, Banta covertly slipped the drug into his girlfriend’s drink during a meeting at a coffee shop in Benbrook. The victim, who was six weeks pregnant at the time, reportedly began experiencing adverse symptoms the following day, prompting her to seek emergency medical care. Tragically, she suffered a miscarriage on October 19, just two days after their rendezvous.
The relationship between Banta and the victim had been ongoing for about a month, according to court documents. On June 6, Banta was arrested and charged with capital murder. He was released on bond the same day.
Legal experts suggest that the prosecution will need substantial evidence to support the charges against Banta. Under Texas law, corroborative evidence is typically required to substantiate claims, implying possible reliance on video footage, digital records, or other tangible evidence to build the case.
During the investigation, Banta was permitted to access data from his confiscated phone. However, authorities later discovered that the phone had been reset, erasing all stored data. Banta admitted to accessing his Google account and transferring his SIM card to another device after the initial phone confiscation.
Following these developments, investigators requested Banta to restore the phone’s data. Despite his compliance, significant amounts of information, including videos, photos, and call logs, remained missing, raising further suspicion.
The case highlights the complexities involved in gathering and preserving digital evidence in modern criminal investigations. As the legal proceedings continue, the focus will likely remain on the digital trail left behind and how it can be used to piece together the events leading up to the alleged crime.
Banta remains free on bond as the investigation unfolds, with authorities meticulously examining the available evidence to determine the next steps in the prosecution.