MN - Sen. Justin Eichorn arrested after alleged attempt to solicit minor for sex

[HmmMysterious]

A sting operation has resulted in the arrest of 40-year-old Minnesota Republican state senator, Justin Eichorn, who thought he was communicating with a 16-year-old girl. A detective posing as the fictional girl met Eichorn on the 8300 block of Normandale Avenue in Bloomington, Minnesota on March 17, 2025. He was taken into custody without incident.
<modsnip>

Minnesota GOP Sen. Justin Eichorn arrested after alleged attempt to solicit minor for sex, police say

 

[Clearsky]

Grand Rapids Man Arrested for Solicitation of a Minor for Prostitution

A 40-year-old Grand Rapids man is in custody following his arrest for allegedly soliciting a minor for prostitution.

www.bloomingtonmn.gov

The male, identified as Justin David Eichorn, age 40, of Grand Rapids, Minn. was observed arriving in the area by pickup truck. Eichorn was arrested without incident outside of his vehicle by uniformed Bloomington Police Officers. He was booked into the Bloomington Police Department jail and will be transported to the Hennepin County Adult Detention Center. Felony charges of Soliciting Under 18 Year Old to Practice Prostitution are pending from the Hennepin County Attorney’s office.

 

[Knitty]

MOD NOTE:

Please help us poor lowly moderators by leaving out the Pres T. part of the equation and sticking to the charges (and his colleagues' response to the charges). The Pres T part can be discussed in private conversations as you wish, and it isn't moderated by us at all. Last I heard, you can have as many participants as you like.

Thanks!

 

[tlcya]

After Eichorn's arrest, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota have called for his resignation.

"We are shocked by these reports and this alleged conduct demands an immediate resignation. Justin has a difficult road ahead and he needs to focus on his family," Minnesota Senate Republicans said in a statement.
[snip]
"Given the seriousness of the charges, Senator Eichorn should resign. While he is entitled to due process, we must hold legislators to a higher standard," Demuth and Niska said in a joint statement.
Minnesota Republican state Sen. Justin Eichorn arrested for soliciting minor: Police

 

[Trino]

Minnesotan here. Eichorn hasn't yet resigned. Vote today to expel him. Should pass. Federal charges. He has 4 children. While I don't know ages, I can imagine some are old enough to understand what has happened. And, kids in school talk. Has to be a rought road for his kids. Of course, he obviously didn't consider them.

 

[tlcya]

Minnesotan here. Eichorn hasn't yet resigned. Vote today to expel him. Should pass. Federal charges. He has 4 children. While I don't know ages, I can imagine some are old enough to understand what has happened. And, kids in school talk. Has to be a rought road for his kids. Of course, he obviously didn't consider them.

yes, these guys always have multiple victims, whether through actively abusing them, or the total upending and disruption of their lives when the crimes come out. Those familial victims are the collateral victims. Because of his recognizable name and public office, his family's suffering during the fallout is likely to be amplified. I feel for them.

 

[tlcya]

A Republican Minnesota state senator who was caught in a sting operation resigned under fire Thursday after he was charged with soliciting a minor for prostitution, stepping down before the Senate could vote on whether to expel him.
Minnesota state senator resigns after he was charged with soliciting a minor for prostitution

 

[airportwoman]

His wife has filed for divorce, and he's now in extra trouble for making a call FROM JAIL (didn't he know those calls are recorded?) to a "friend", requesting that they remove a computer and possibly other electronics from his Twin Cities apartment.

I have a feeling he's about to get in a lot of OTHER trouble.

Eichorn’s wife files for divorce, prosecutors demand he stay in custody

Eichorn, a Republican who previously served the Grand Rapids area, resigned days after he was arrested and his wife filed for divorce.

www.northernnewsnow.com

 

[airportwoman]

I also see, via the public Minnesota court records, that he's representing himself, so far anyway. (Wanna bet nobody wants to touch THIS one with a 10-foot pole?) As of now, his arrest isn't listed, although it might be one of those cases where putting it online might make the site, like, crash or something.

Case Search - Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)

 

[Motoman_90]

Following this as seams like might be a bit of a rabbit hole

 

[Trino]

OM Gosh. Guess who he called from jail and sent to pick up his laptop at his St Paul apartment before the FBI could arrive. HIS WIFE. FBI was already there and sent her away. She's filed for divorce so there's no telling what he told her about his detainment and her needed help. Surely he didn't tell her the truth.

He's been released to a Duluth halfway house. Why Duluth? That's about 3 hours from St. Paul/Bloomington. So, who picked him up? Photo shows him getting into a car. Judge felt he wasn't a flight risk despite prosecutors.

Here's his defense: Eichorn’s defense challenged probable cause in the case, arguing that the prosecution couldn’t prove Eichorn would have followed through with paying for an encounter with a person he had contacted through a prostitution ad.

And, who would believe that?

 

[airportwoman]

That he was sent to Duluth makes sense, because Grand Rapids, his hometown, is not far away.

 

[vls12345]

Former Sen. Justin Eichorn’s release reinstated; judge says there is probable cause to proceed with case

Eichorn was permitted Wednesday to once again be released from custody after federal prosecutors alleged he lied about having a gun and tried to obstruct the investigation.

www.postbulletin.com

 

[Trino]

That he was sent to Duluth makes sense, because Grand Rapids, his hometown, is not far away.

I live in Minnesota. Grand Rapids is a good 75 miles from Duluth. I would not call that close.

And who in Grand Rapids wants him anyway? Not his uncle who owns a store that's being targeted. Certainly not his wife who's divorcing him. Definitely not voters. Grand Rapids, MN is quite small - about 10,000 population. You can bet he won't just be walking around the town.

 

[MrsWatson]

Here's his defense: Eichorn’s defense challenged probable cause in the case, arguing that the prosecution couldn’t prove Eichorn would have followed through with paying for an encounter with a person he had contacted through a prostitution ad.

And, who would believe that?

Insert the "Sure, Jan" meme here.

 

[modesty blaise]

He definitely sounds like a flight risk.

 

[tlcya]

OM Gosh. Guess who he called from jail and sent to pick up his laptop at his St Paul apartment before the FBI could arrive. HIS WIFE. FBI was already there and sent her away. She's filed for divorce so there's no telling what he told her about his detainment and her needed help. Surely he didn't tell her the truth.

He's been released to a Duluth halfway house. Why Duluth? That's about 3 hours from St. Paul/Bloomington. So, who picked him up? Photo shows him getting into a car. Judge felt he wasn't a flight risk despite prosecutors.

Here's his defense: Eichorn’s defense challenged probable cause in the case, arguing that the prosecution couldn’t prove Eichorn would have followed through with paying for an encounter with a person he had contacted through a prostitution ad.

And, who would believe that?

You can't prove I would have followed through because you caught me before I could do so.

 

[Trino]

He definitely sounds like a flight risk.

Hopefully his wife, filing for divorce, emptied bank accounts.

 

[Trino]

You can't prove I would have followed through because you caught me before I could do so.

Contacted the site 4 times (March 11, 12, 13, 17) before showing up. Sure seems intent to me.

From MSN:
March 11, investigators say Eichorn contacted one of the "girls" through the online advertisements.
Court records then say that Eichorn contacted the undercover agent posting as a girl on March 12 and 13.
Four days later, Eichorn is alleged to have contacted the undercover agent again, this time asking when they would be available to meet up as well as again asking for "rates."

 

[Trino]

Maybe I'm posting too much, but I'm from Minnesota. There is an online full face family photo from 2022 when he ran for election. In fact, there are several family photos. The older son (in 2022) looks to be around 14 back then, making him around 16+ now. Second oldest son maybe would be maybe 14/15 now? Two daughters... would probably also understand what their father did.

I cannot imagine how these kids are now going to school each day. Hopefully, they are going online for education.