Anton Lazzaro, a Republican strategist, and former congressional campaign manager in Minnesota has been arrested on underage sex trafficking charges, according to federal law enforcement. The arrest was made on Thursday morning.
Lazzaro was indicted on five counts of sex trafficking of a minor, one count of attempting to do so, and three counts of obstruction of justice. The FBI confirmed
U.S. Magistrate Judge Becky R. Thorson ordered that Lazzaro remain jailed until a court hearing next week after prosecutors claimed six victims had asked for additional protection from Lazzaro.
“It’s their strong wish that the United States proceed with a recommendation of detention,” Thorson said of the alleged victims.
The indictment accuses Lazzaro of having “recruited” at least five underage victims for paid sex between May and December last year, and trying to entice a sixth. It also says he “knowingly and intentionally interfered” with the investigation as it closed in on him.
The feds have yet to arrest a second person under investigation, who is mentioned as a co-conspirator in the indictment but not identified.
