Teen College Chair Conspired With Disgraced Republican Strategist In Sex Trafficking Minors

A teenage Minnesota student has been arrested on Thursday, Aug. 12, for allegedly aiding a GOP strategist in the sex trafficking of minors.

Gisela Castro Medina, a 19-year-old woman who was recently elected as the chairperson of the University of St. Thomas College Republicans, has been apprehended in Florida on Thursday for charges of sex trafficking of a minor, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, and obstruction of justice, according to CBS affiliate WCCO.

Medina was nabbed in relation to Anton Lazzaro, a Republican strategist who was arrested on Thursday for the sex trafficking of five minors as well as the attempted sex trafficking of a sixth underage victim, the New York Daily News reported.

The Minnesota College Republicans have distanced themselves from Medina, with leader Nia Moore saying in a statement: “We as an organization are absolutely disgusted by the actions of Ms. Medina, and have cut all ties with her effective immediately.”

“Our prayers go out to the victims of Anton Lazzaro and Gisela Medina,” she continued. “We believe you. We stand with you. May justice be served.” The organization also stated that Medina is not an active member.

Medina and Lazzaro are linked together with a company called Minnesota Property Management, where Lazzaro is the registered agent whilst Medina works in the company. They also have a since-deleted Instagram photo of them together for a dinner in May 2021.

Shock has come across the local Republican community as the GOP strategist's arrest prompts many Republicans to cut off any ties, financial or otherwise, to Lazzaro and his associates.

Minnesota GOP leader Jennifer Carnahan, a politician who is friends with Lazzaro, has denounced his actions in a statement to the media.

“The arrest and charges involving Ms. Gisela Castro Medina, in conjunction with Thursday’s arrest and sex trafficking charges of Mr. Anton Lazzaro are heinous and disturbing,” she said in a statement on Friday, Aug. 13. “Conviction of these charges warrants punishment to the fullest extent of the law and we fully anticipate justice will be served."

According to Law&Order, Medina is currently staying in Santa Rosa County Jail, but she will be taken to Minnesota for her trial.