Minnesota Charges 4 in 13-Count Sex Trafficking Ring Involving Former Assistant Attorney
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Aug 17
Minnesota Charges 4 in 13-Count Sex Trafficking Ring Involving Former Assistant Attorney
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Aug 17
Summary
Hennepin County prosecutors said four people were charged with 13 counts each after allegedly running a yearslong sex-trafficking operation across Minneapolis and three nearby suburbs.
Prosecutors allege 57-year-old Frank Reeves led the scheme, with Viktoriya Komonash recruiting women and posting ads, Katherine Thomes operating the website, and former assistant attorney Sampson managing shell companies to launder proceeds.
At least 13 women have been identified as victims who were advertised for commercial sex and turned over money from transactions, though County Attorney Mary Moriarty said investigators believe there are many more.
All four suspects were arrested without incident on Friday. The Anoka County Attorney's Office said it put Sampson on leave on Feb. 25 after learning of the investigation, and her employment ended March 9.