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Federal jury trial scheduled for Republican donor, strategist accused of human trafficking

Court documents show a jury trial will be held next spring for the Republican donor and strategist accused of human trafficking.

According to documents filed in late November, a pretrial hearing for Anton “Tony” Lazzaro will be held the morning of March 16 and the trial will begin the morning of March 20.

Federal prosecutors charged Lazzaro in August 2021, accusing him of recruiting underage victims to have sex with other people. The arrest led to the return of thousands of dollars in campaign cash and the resignation of then-GOP party chair Jennifer Carnahan.

Lazzaro was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit of minors, five counts of sex trafficking of minors, one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor, and three counts of obstruction.

RELATED: Lazzaro pleads not guilty to sex trafficking charges; judge denies defense request for release on bail

RELATED: Lawsuit Tony Lazzaro offered hush money to minor he allegedly groomed

RELATED: Tony Lazzaro's year in jail: Hundreds of phone calls, 13 attorneys and a Tesla

Meanwhile, Gisela Castro Medina—the former chair of the University of St. Thomas College Republicans who was federally charged in connection with a child sex trafficking scheme involving Lazzaro—has a change of plea hearing scheduled in Minneapolis for the afternoon of Dec. 19, 2022, according to court records also filed last week.

RELATED: 19-year-old arrested for conspiracy to commit child sex trafficking in Florida

Medina allegedly conspired with Lazzaro and others between May and December 2020 to solicit six underage victims to engage in commercial sex acts, according to acting Minnesota U.S. Attorney Anders Folk.

She is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors, five counts of sex trafficking of minors and one count of obstruction.

 

This “Eyes on Trafficking” story is reprinted from its original location.

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PBJ Learning is a leading provider of online human trafficking training, focusing on and prevention education. Their interactive Human Trafficking Essentials is used worldwide to educate professionals and individuals how to recognize human trafficking and how to respond to potential victims. Learn on any web browser (even your mobile phone) at any time.

More stories like this can be found in your PBJ Learning Knowledge Vault.

 

EYES ON TRAFFICKING

This “Eyes on Trafficking” story is reprinted from its original online location.

ABOUT PBJ LEARNING

PBJ Learning is a leading provider of online human trafficking training, focusing on awareness and prevention education. Their interactive Human Trafficking Essentials online course is used worldwide to educate professionals and individuals how to recognize human trafficking and how to respond to potential victims. Learn on any web browser (even your mobile phone) at any time.

More stories like this can be found in your PBJ Learning Knowledge Vault.