Feds charge state Sen. Justin Eichorn, Minnesota lawmaker accused of attempting to pay for sex with minor

Alex Derosier, Pioneer Press on Mar 19, 2025

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ST. PAUL, Minn. — Federal prosecutors on Wednesday filed a charge against a Minnesota state senator accused of seeking to pay for sex from someone he believed was a minor.

Sen. Justin Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, was arrested Monday after allegedly trying to meet with a 17-year-old girl who turned out to be a detective with the Bloomington Police Department.

The agency had been running an undercover operation targeting underage commercial sex and had posted an online advertisement to which Eichorn, 40, responded on March 11, the U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges. The advertisement featured images of a person who claimed to be 18.

But in messages and voice chats over several days, the undercover officer repeatedly said she was not 18, but 17 years old. Eichorn continued asking about pricing for various sex acts and arranged to meet in person, according to the charge.

In messages included in the federal criminal complaint, Eichorn allegedly asked the undercover officer about how much it would cost for a “Qv” or quick visit, or a “half hour,” and whether an “outcall” visit would be possible.

The senator and undercover officer also discussed the age of consent, according to the complaint.

“I am 17…like I said don’t want any drama but wanna be upfront cause one guy got hella mad at me,” the officer posing as a teenager said.

“Why was he so mad? I think age of consent is 17 when do ya turn 18?” the senator replied, before saying he believed the age of consent was 16, and only over 18 if it involves a person in a position of authority, according to the charge.

Arrest on Monday

Police eventually arranged to meet with Eichorn at the 8300 block of Normandale Boulevard on Monday evening, according to Bloomington police. Before meeting, Eichorn asked for a verification photo of the person he believed was a 17-year-old wearing a ”bra and underwear holding up 2 fingers.”

The senator arrived in a pickup truck and was arrested by uniformed officers without incident, according to police. Inside Eichorn’s pickup truck was $129 in cash, two iPhones and a condom, according to the charge. The undercover officer said it would cost $120 for a half hour, messages included in the charges show.

The senator was booked into the Bloomington Police Department jail and transferred to Hennepin County Tuesday night. He remains in custody, according to the jail roster. Federal and state court documents did not list an attorney for Eichorn Wednesday evening.

Eichorn was initially charged with soliciting prostitution from a minor over the age of 16 but under 18, but the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office dropped the state case now that federal prosecutors are pursuing a charge of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office has no tolerance for public officials who violate federal law — particularly those laws meant to protect children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa Kirkpatrick.

Federal charges say the detective claimed to be 17, not 16 as initially stated Tuesday by the Bloomington police.

Calls for resignation

Eichorn’s fellow Republicans called for the senator to resign soon after the allegations emerged on Tuesday.

“We are shocked by these reports and this alleged conduct demands an immediate resignation,” read a statement from the Senate Republican Caucus on Tuesday. “Justin has a difficult road ahead and he needs to focus on his family.”

Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson told reporters Wednesday that Republicans hadn’t ruled out a vote to expel Eichorn from the Senate.

Eichorn was elected in 2016 and is serving his third term as a state senator, currently for District 6.

He lives in Grand Rapids with his wife and four children and has a background in business, according to his state Senate biography.

House Republicans and the Minnesota Republican Party joined the Senate GOP in calling for Eichorn to leave office.

Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, also weighed in on the arrest Tuesday but stopped short of calling for Eichorn to resign.

“The felony allegation against Senator Eichorn is deeply disturbing, and raises serious questions that will need to be answered by the court, as well as his caucus and constituents,” she said.

The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party has also called for Eichorn to resign.

Mitchell case

Eichorn is the second Minnesota senator arrested on suspicion of a felony in less than a year.

Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, was charged with felony burglary last April for allegedly breaking into her estranged stepmother’s Detroit Lakes home to remove items of sentimental value, including her father’s ashes.

Mitchell declined to resign even as members of her own party called for her to step down. Her trial is scheduled for after the legislative session ends in May.

The DFL currently has 34 seats and Republicans hold 33. If Mitchell resigned, it would put the Senate in a tie. If Eichorn resigned, Republicans would have a two-seat disadvantage.

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