A 19-year-old University of St. Thomas student who serves as chair of the college's student GOP group has been arrested in Florida on allegations that she assisted in the trafficking of minors for sex.
Gisela Castro Medina was arrested in Florida's Panhandle early Thursday morning according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Department in Fort Walton Beach on a charge of being a fugitive from justice.
Medina's arrest came the same day as Anton "Tony" Lazzaro, 30, was arrested by the FBI in Minneapolis on suspicion of obstruction of justice, sex trafficking, and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of underage victims.
Lazzaro's arrest highlighted his close ties to several Minnesota GOP figures including Jennifer Carnahan, the state parry's GOP chair. Carnahan, who Lazzaro hosted a podcast with, is also married to U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn.
In a statement after Lazzaro's arrest, Carnahan said any donation made by Lazzaro to the state party will be given to charity.
Senator Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes) on Friday released a statement calling for Carnahan's resignation.
"MNGOP Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan must resign immediately. The charges against Anton Lazzaro are deeply disturbing, disgusting, and repulsive, and Carnahan's close, ongoing relationship with him is troubling to say the least. I find it impossible that she didn't know about his activities. That relationship is a cause enough for Carnahan's resignation. The additional allegations of sexual assault, harassment, intimidation, and fraud that occurred on her watch simply make it all the more clear that she must step down immediately. I disavow her, Mr. Lazzaro, and their actions in the strongest possible terms. I will be praying for their victims."
Carnahan on Saturday doubled-down on condemning Lazzaro after Medina's arrest was made known.
"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. Conviction of these charges warrants punishment to the fullest extent of the law and we fully anticipate justice will be served. While we work for the same cause, the Republican Party of Minnesota has no jurisdiction over the Minnesota College Republicans, including the chapter at the University of St. Thomas. Minnesota CR chapters are independently run organizations. We stand with victims of sex trafficking and encourage anyone with information to contact the FBI Minneapolis Division at 763-569-8000."