Former Minnesota county attorney tied to online sex-trafficking ring

A former Anoka County assistant attorney, Andrea Leigh Sampson, faces 26 felony charges for allegedly running an online sex-trafficking ring in Hennepin County from 2020 to 2026, using shell companies to funnel profits and coordinating with three others including the alleged ringleader; investigators say properties were used to photograph victims for ads, Sampson was placed on leave and later fired, and bail was set at $1 million with future court appearances planned as more victims are sought.