Wealthy GOP strategist, 30, who shared snap of himself with Donald Trump and on private jet is charged with paying six underage children to participate in sex acts
A promising young Republican strategist who posed with Donald Trump and displayed his wealth with a private jet photo has been arrested on child sex trafficking charges.
Anton Lazzaro, 30, was taken into custody on Thursday and accused of recruiting six minors to engage in commercial sex acts, according to a Department of Justice press release.
He was indicted one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors, five counts of sex trafficking of minors, one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor, and three counts of obstruction.
Authorities believe there may be more victims, but have not shared further specifics on their case against Lazzaro, the ages of his victims, or how the allegations came to light.
GOP strategist Anton Lazzaro was arrested Thursday morning on underage sex trafficking charges. He is accused of recruiting six minors to engage in commercial sex acts
According to investigators, Lazzaro conspired with another person to recruit and solicit minors for sex from May through December 2020.
He was taken into custody by FBI agents on Thursday and made his initial appearance in United States District Court before Magistrate Judge Becky Thorson.
He will remain in custody pending a formal detention hearing on Monday.
Thorson said the decision to keep Lazarro in custody stemmed from victims wanting additional protection from him, the Daily Beast reported.
'It's their strong wish that the United States proceed with a recommendation of detention,' Thorson said.
According to the news outlet, federal investigators have not arrested the person believed to be the co-conspirator in this operation.
Officials raided Lazzaro's luxury downtown Minneapolis condo last December seeking evidence regarding a person he brought into his residence.
Under the search warrant they obtained Lazzaro's bank records and video surveillance footage from the building a week before the raid.
Lazzaro has claimed that 'someone made a false accusation against me'
Lazzaro confirmed to the news outlet last month that his residence had been searched and claimed that 'someone made a false accusation against me'.
'There's no charges, no case, nothing political,' Lazarro explained.
His attorney Zachary Newland has previously said: 'We look forward to clearing Mr. Lazzaro's name… I think he's innocent. They don't have a provable case here.'
He continued saying: the 'matter was regarding a totally unrelated incident that's now almost resolved, essentially.'
In 2020, Lazarro had served as the campaign manager for GOP candidate Lacy Johnson, whose bid was unsuccessful.
Johnson claimed that Lazarro never told him about the raid or discussed his dating/personal life.
'I don't know that side of Tony. He's young, he's got money, and… that tends to attract females,' Johnson said.
Lazaro has categorized himself as a 'next-generation Republican' who has 'more modernized views' and claims his PAC is looking to 'redefine the Republican Party specifically to minority, LGBT, and women' who have been neglected by the party
On his personal website, Lazarro is pictured alongside former president Donald Trump and former vice president Mike Pence. He also posted photos on social media of himself sitting on private jets, waving large sums of cash, and driving shirtless in a Ferrari
Lazarro's political action committee has funneled over $22,000 to political entities in California, Minnesota, Michigan and New Mexico.
He has categorized himself as a 'next-generation Republican' who has 'more modernized views' and claims his PAC is looking to 'redefine the Republican Party specifically to minority, LGBT, and women' who have been neglected by the party.
On his personal website, Lazarro is pictured alongside former president Donald Trump and former vice president Mike Pence.
On his social media accounts, he posted photos of himself sitting on private jets, waving large sums of cash, and driving shirtless in a Ferrari.
DailyMail.com has requested comment from the FBI.