By Joe Chatham
FAIR
Last Friday, the FBI announced that it had arrested 21-year-old Teresa Youngblut in the killing of Border Patrol Agent David Maland. Ms. Youngblut, a U.S. citizen, is now facing charges of using a deadly weapon while assaulting a United States Border Patrol agent and discharging a firearm during that assault.
Agent Maland was tragically shot and killed on Monday, January 20 during a traffic stop on Interstate 91 near Coventry, Vermont. According to law enforcement, that afternoon, Ms. Youngblut was driving towards the Canadian border with a man named Felix Baukholt, a German citizen, whose legal status in the U.S. was in question. The pair had already caught the attention of the FBI a few days earlier when a local hotel employee expressed concern about witnessing the two carrying firearms while being dressed in tactical clothing and protective gear. The FBI reached out to Youngblut and Baukholt, who told the FBI they were in the area to look at property to purchase.
While not all the details are publicly available yet, it appears the traffic stop quickly turned violent. According to officials, both Youngblut and Baukholt were armed when several agents in three marked vehicles pulled over their car. Youngblut fired her handgun without warning towards at least one Border Patrol agent. Baukholt also tried to draw his gun, at which point a Border Patrol agent fired his service weapon. In the exchange of fire, Agent Maland, Youngblut and Buckholt were all shot. Agent Maland was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Buckholt was pronounced dead at the scene and Youngblut was taken to the hospital for medical care.
Additional details suggest there is more to the story. During a search of the crime scene, Vermont police found “two packets of suspected cell phones wrapped in what appeared to be aluminum foil that were left behind.” And, during the search of the car, police reported that they found “various pieces [of] tactical gear-including a ballistic helmet, night-vision-goggle monocular, a tactical belt with holster, and a magazine loaded with cartridges; two full-face respirators; 48 rounds of .380-caliber jacketed hollow point ammunition; a package of shooting range targets (some of which were used); two handheld two-way radios; approximately a dozen electronic devices and multiple removable electronic storage devices,” among other items.
Agent Maland, a U.S. Air Force veteran, dedicated his life to public service, serving nine years in the military and another 15 in the federal government. During the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Maland was working security duty at the Pentagon and was detailed to guard an undersecretary to one of the branches of the military at a Joint Base-Anacostia Bolling bunker for several days following the attack. Before moving to protect our northern border, Maland was stationed at the southern border in Texas, where he worked as a K-9 handler. According to Maland’s cousin, Minnesota state Rep. Krista Knudsen, Maland had chances to be promoted but turned them down to remain in the field.
Following Agent Maland’s tragic murder, statements of support poured in. Members of Congress representing Vermont and the National Border Patrol Council (NPBC), which serves as the Border Patrol’s union, shared their condolences. In a joint statement, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) said: “Border Patrol agents do important work protecting our borders. They deserve our full support in terms of staffing, pay and working conditions. We look forward to working with the agency to make sure that they have all the resources they need to do the enormously important work that is their responsibility. Together, we must do everything possible to prevent future tragedies like what happened today.” The Border Patrol Union also expressed deep sympathy following Maland’s killing, stating, “Our hearts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and coworkers of our fallen brother in green in Vermont.”
Maland’s family also issued statements to honor his legacy and underscore his dedication to protecting Americans. His family said, “He was a devoted agent who served with honor and bravery. He had a tremendous respect and pride for the work he did; he truly embodied service over self.” Maland’s cousin, Krista Knudsen, emphasized that, “He will be remembered for his courage and commitment to protecting fellow Americans. He is also a person who served faithfully with honor and bravery. He always put his service above himself.” Last Thursday, hundreds of law enforcement officers gathered to lead a procession escorting Maland’s body to a funeral home in Burlington, Vermont.
CBP’s Swanton Sector, which spans across eastern New York, Vermont and New Hampshire, became the most targeted crossing point for illegal aliens at the northern border under the Biden administration. In FY 2024 alone, border agents in the Swanton Sector encountered over 19,000 illegal aliens, compared to just 365 in FY 2021. The sector’s Chief Patrol Agent, Robert Garcia, repeatedly voiced concern about the drastic spike in encounters in 2024, stating that agents were apprehending around 100 people per day in June, and that these aliens were arriving from at least 85 different countries.
FAIR extends its deep condolences to Agent Maland’s family and friends and applauds the service of the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect American security and keep our country safe.
