MINNEAPOLIS — Former GOP strategist Anton "Tony" Lazzaro will serve a 21-year federal sentence for his conviction on charges of sex trafficking minors.
KARE 11's Lou Raguse was in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis when the sentence was read shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday. The courtroom was packed with a crowd of about 50 people, including victims and their families, Lazzaro's girlfriend, U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Andy Luger and prominent Twin Cities attorney Jeff Anderson, who is pursuing a civil lawsuit against Lazzaro.
Lazzaro was convicted in late March following a high-profile trial that featured testimony by a number of victims who told jurors they were underage when the defendant had sex with them. The witnesses said Lazzaro plied them with money and gifts in exchange for the sex. Testimony from his former friend and co-defendant Gisela Castro Medina was also key in gaining the convictions.
Along with the 21-year prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Patrick Schiltz added five years of supervised release after his term is served.
"What strikes me about this case, Mr. Lazzaro’s sexual exploitation of these victims is its soulless, almost mechanical nature," Schiltz told the courtroom. "Almost like set up sex trafficking assembly line... He was a predator finally getting what he wanted from his prey."
"I cannot stress this enough... the victims in this case were not women disguised as girls. They were children," Judge Schiltz continued. "Mr. Lazzaro has not shown a shred of remorse for the lifetime of pain he inflicted just so he could enjoy a few minutes of sex."
Before Lazzaro was sentenced he was given a chance to speak to the court, but Raguse noted the defendant did not come close to making an apology or acknowledging the pain he caused his young victims. That triggered anger in those who made victim impact statements, in particular the mother of one girl Lazzaro exploited.
"You were 30 years old preying on young broken girls you sick b*****d," the mother said. "You are a predator. You are a sad example of the male gender and the human race."
The mother went on to tell the courtroom that her daughter has been suicidal due to what unfolded. "My daughter is grieving and wants to die. How dare you?" the mother vented. "You deserve a life sentence. I hate you."
A teen referred to as "Victim D" during the court proceedings also faced down Lazarro while stepping up to give her impact statement. She told the courtroom that she became an addict and suffered PTSD from the experience. "Tony took advantage of me. My innocence was stolen from the second he opened his apartment door," she said. "Putting Tony behind bars will save so many girls. It took every ounce of strength for me to save myself."
Court documents reflect a request by federal prosecutors that Lazzaro be sentenced to 30 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release and restitution for his victims. Judge Schiltz explained that while the case is "significant," statutes for the sex trafficking of minors cover a wide range of behaviors including holding children against their will. Without minimizing what Lazzaro did, the judge said "the longest sentences are reserved for the worst cases.
“Mr. Lazzaro targeted, manipulated, and sexually exploited young and vulnerable girls for his own gain without regard for their age or safety,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. following Lazzaro's sentencing. “Today’s sentencing sends a strong message that those who commit such heinous crimes will be held accountable.”
Lazzaro's defense team had lobbied for a maximum of 10 years imprisonment. Attorney Daniel Gerdts said afterward that they were “looking forward to the appeal.”
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