Michael P. Drescher Acting United States Attorney for the District of Vermont | U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont
A federal grand jury in Vermont has indicted Teresa Youngblut, 21, of Seattle, Washington, on charges related to the killing of a U.S. Border Patrol agent and the assault of two other agents. The four-count superseding indictment includes murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and firearms offenses.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on January 20, 2025, during a traffic stop on Interstate 91 in Coventry, Vermont. A Border Patrol agent stopped a Toyota Prius carrying Youngblut and a male German citizen whose immigration status was under review. Days before the shooting, law enforcement had received reports from a hotel employee about Youngblut and her companion wearing tactical gear and appearing armed. Officers also observed them at a Walmart parking lot in Newport, Vermont, where the German citizen was seen wrapping objects in aluminum foil.
Court documents allege that both individuals were armed during the vehicle stop. Youngblut allegedly exited the car and opened fire without warning, resulting in the death of one agent.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti stated: “As alleged, this defendant shot and killed a United States Border Patrol Agent while he was performing his duties. We will not stand for such attacks on the men and women who protect our communities and our borders.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael P. Drescher for the District of Vermont said: “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.”
Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division commented: “The murder of a federal agent is more than a tragic loss. 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."
Attorney General Bondi has authorized pursuit of capital punishment in this case; accordingly, Acting United States Attorney for Vermont has filed notice seeking the death penalty against Youngblut.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the FBI Albany Field Office, 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 Justice Department’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section (VCRS) along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Lasher for Vermont are prosecuting.
An indictment is an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
