Ex-Anoka County prosecutor charged in metro sex-trafficking ring
Former Anoka County Assistant Attorney Andrea Sampson was charged with profiting from a sex-trafficking operation that used shell companies and rented locations in the Twin Cities, authorities said.[1]
Court papers name alleged pimp Frank Devone Reeves, "house mom" Viktoriya Sergeyevna Komonash, and Katherine Michelle Thomes, who runs Minnesota Erotica Personals, as co-defendants.[1] Investigators say the operation ran in Minneapolis, Bloomington, Eden Prairie and St. Louis Park and trafficked women from multiple apartments.[1]
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension led the probe and says the ring has operated since 2021, using LLC shell companies to collect profits while defendants supplied locations for commercial sex.[1]
At least 13 women gave similar accounts of being recruited, advertised online, forced to turn over cash and threatened, officials said.[1] Investigators added that phones seized from all four defendants show extensive communications and that three of the women believed they were in a romantic or sexual relationship with Reeves.[1]
Show source details & analysis (1 source)
📌 Key Facts
- Former Anoka County Assistant Attorney Andrea Sampson is charged with profiting from a sex trafficking operation by creating and maintaining LLC shell companies and supplying locations for commercial sex.
- Co-defendants are alleged pimp Frank Devone Reeves, 'house mom' Viktoriya Sergeyevna Komonash, and Minnesota Erotica Personals owner-operator Katherine Michelle Thomes.
- The BCA-led investigation says the ring has run since 2021 in Minneapolis, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, St. Louis Park and nearby areas, trafficking women in multiple apartments.
- At least 13 women gave similar accounts of being recruited, advertised online, forced to turn over cash, threatened, and in some cases sexually assaulted and monitored by cameras.
- Investigators say phones seized from all four defendants show extensive communications about the operation and indicate the three women believed they were in a romantic or sexual relationship with Reeves.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time