Crime & Safety
St. Thomas College Republican Chair Charged With Sex Trafficking
Gisela C. Medina's co-defendant, Republican operative Anton Lazzaro, was arrested and charged with child sex trafficking crimes last week.
MINNEAPOLIS — The chair of the College Republicans at the University of St. Thomas was charged with federal child sex trafficking crimes Monday. Gisela C. Medina, 19, of St. Paul faces one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors, five counts of sex trafficking of minors, and one count of obstruction.
Police arrested Medina Thursday in Okaloosa County, Florida. She will be transported to Minnesota and will remain in custody until her formal detention hearing, which is scheduled for Aug. 24, according to federal officials.
Medina's codefendant, Minnesota Republican operative Anton Lazzaro, 30, of Minneapolis was arrested and charged with child sex trafficking crimes Thursday.
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Following Lazzaro's arrest, Minnesota Republicans began calling on the Minnesota Republican Party chairwoman, Jennifer Carnahan, to step down.
Carnahan, who co-hosted a podcast with Lazzaro, said in a statement Friday that the state Republican Party "will be donating the contributions that Mr. Lazzaro has given our organization to charity." However, she has no plans to step down.
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