Thread by @msepic

In St. Paul federal court for Tony Lazzaro’s detention hearing scheduled to start soon. He just entered courtroom in jail uniform. He’s asking to be released on home confinement. mprnews.org/story/2021/08/…

Magistrate Judge Hildy Bowbeer says alleged minor victims & parents listening by phone. Lazzaro enters not guilty plea to all charges.

Minneapolis cop on trafficking task force who searched Lazzaro’s apartment testifies that an alleged victim & her parents went to W Henn Police in late July. FBI was already on the case, which became joint investigation with BCA.

Lazzaro was the “sex buyer,” says officer Brandon Brugger. Co defendant Gisela Castro Medina was “recruiter,” who looked for 15, 16, & 17-year-old girls.

Brugger says Lazzaro gave alleged victims cash, vape pens, Prada purse. Contacted 15yo after search warrants executed urging her not to talk with authorities.

FBI tactical SWAT team arrested Lazzaro at Hotel Ivy because of firearms in his apartment, says Officer Brugger. Allegedly said “Laura is going to regret this,” in reference to a federal prosecutor involved in the case.

Brugger says Lazzaro paid part of Castro Medina’s tuition at St Thomas in exchange for tutoring his 19yo girlfriend in high school math.

Brugger also says Lazzaro contacted a 2nd alleged victim following apartment search & offered $ in exchange for non disclosure agreement.

On cross examination by defense attorney Zach Newland, Brugger says no child abuse images (child pornography) found on Lazzaro’s electronic devices.

On cross, Brugger also says Lazzaro never specifically threatened any member of the prosecution team, in reference to alleged comment at arrest about AUSA Laura Provinzino.

Defense arguing that Lazzaro does not present flight risk, or threat to police & prosecutors. Newland says Lazzaro didn’t flee country despite “plenty of money” & passport.

On redirect from government, Brugger says Lazzaro communicated with minors via Snapchat because “messages disappear.”

Newland: Minor tried to “extort” Lazzaro, demanding $ for not talking to cops.

Yele-Mis Yang, friend of Lazzaro & 2018 GOP House candidate, testifying for defense at detention hearing.

Yang, a “full-time volunteer pastor,”says he has no concerns about his children being around Lazzaro.

On cross from government, Yang says his children are not teenage girls.

Yang says he hired Gisela Castro Medina to work at his property mgmt company, Minnesota Property Nerds, about 8 mos ago.

Provinzino says Lazzaro had account on “sugar daddy” site + Pornhub page called “only tiny teens.”

Yang says he’s still managing property business. Yang says after arrests, Lazzaro asked about location of co-defendant Gisela Castro Medina. USAO told me yesterday she’s still in custody in Florida.

Federal arraignment/detention hearings are usually quick. Judge just called a brief recess after 90 minutes. Defense hopes to call a 2nd witness, who still hasn’t arrived at courthouse.

Lazzaro back in courtroom. Second defense witness has arrived.

Doug Kouns, a former FBI agent turned private investigator from Indianapolis, on stand for Lazzaro’s defense.

Anticipating indictment, defense hired Kouns in early 2021 to assess Lazzaro’s luxury apartment in the Hotel Ivy for suitability for home confinement. Kouns says it’s more suitable than most homes because cameras are already in place.

Kouns describing security at Lazzaro’s home, echoing arguments in this morning’s defense filing.

He says existing building security, ankle monitors, more cameras, internet monitoring, are adequate to keep tabs on Lazzaro pending trial. Says Lazzaro would have fled by now if he was planning to, since indictment was anticipated since February.

In arguing for detention, AUSA Laura Provinzino says Lazzaro “presents a flight risk and a risk to public.” Citing the Epstein case, she says child sex trafficking charges presume pretrial detention.

Provinzino says Lazzaro’s financial report in bond request shows $2m in assets + Bitcoin holdings.

Provinzino: “Who asks a 16-year-old girl to sign an NDA?” Says Lazzaro tried to get victim A & her father to sign NDA in exchange for $1,000. This is basis for obstruction charge.

Provinzino reading statements from alleged victims & their parents. Parent of Victim C calls Lazzaro “a perverted narcissistic sex offender” who should not be released pending trial.

In arguing for detention, Provinzino says “all it takes is a cellphone [for Lazzaro] to commit offenses & to commit obstruction.”

Defense attorney Zach Newland says Lazzaro “did not commit any sex trafficking,” and alleged victims are anonymous.

Provinzino says Lazzaro is asking for a “prison of privilege” at the luxury apartment where the offenses happened against the victims.

No detention decision yet. Judge called another 15 minute recess.

Magistrate Judge Hildy Bowbeer orders Lazzaro detained pending trial.

Judge Bowbeer says nature of charges, strength of evidence, weigh in favor of detention. Also notes that Lazzaro has access to “tremendous resources” domestically & internationally that would give him a greater ability to flee.

Judge Bowbeer: “The government has demonstrated by clear & convincing evidence that there are not conditions that would assure the safety of the community.” Hearing adjourned.