The alleged leader of a radical “transgender vegan cult” linked to six deaths across the US has been arrested in Maryland.

Jack “Ziz” LaSota, 34, the founder of an anarchist group known as “Zizians”, was detained on Sunday with Michelle Zajko, 32, who is believed to be a member of the group.

The Zizians are said to be a group of intelligent individuals including computer scientists who have worked for Google and Nasa who developed radical views on veganism, gender identity and artificial intelligence.

The “cult” has been linked to a spate of deaths, including the shooting of David Maland, a US border patrol agent, in Vermont as well as coast-to-coast killings in Pennsylvania and California.

LaSota, who is transgender and uses female pronouns but is referred to as male in court filings, faces multiple charges including trespass, obstructing and hindering and possession of a handgun.

Ms Zajko, 32, was arrested on charges including resisting or interfering with arrest and having a handgun on his person.

US officials have offered few details of the country-wide investigation, which intensified after Mr Maland was shot dead on Jan 20.