Minnesota State Senator faces scandalous legal allegations involving a minor

Minnesota State Senator Justin Eichorn has been arrested and charged with attempting to solicit sex from an undercover officer posing as a 17-year-old girl, leading to his immediate resignation from office.

Key Takeaways

Republican Senator Justin Eichorn, 40, was arrested after arranging to pay for sex with someone he believed was a 17-year-old girl but was actually an undercover officer.
Police found cash and an unopened condom in Eichorn’s truck upon arrest, and his text messages clearly indicated awareness of the supposed minor’s age.
Eichorn faces federal charges of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution.
Senate Republicans planned to expel Eichorn before he resigned, with leaders across party lines condemning his alleged actions.
The arrest was part of a larger sting operation targeting commercial sex involving juveniles, which resulted in six other arrests.

Arrest Details and Evidence

Senator Justin Eichorn was arrested in Bloomington, Minnesota after responding to online advertisements placed by investigators conducting an undercover operation targeting commercial sex involving juveniles. The 40-year-old Grand Rapids resident communicated with who he thought was a 17-year-old girl, but was actually an undercover officer. Eichorn allegedly arranged a meeting location near the 8300 block of Normandale Avenue and arrived in his pickup truck, where officers apprehended him without incident.

According to the federal affidavit, investigators discovered incriminating evidence at the time of arrest, including cash and an unopened condom in Eichorn’s vehicle. The text messages exchanged between Eichorn and the undercover officer clearly showed his intent and awareness of the supposed minor’s age. These messages reportedly included requests for explicit photos and discussions about payment for sexual services, forming crucial evidence in the federal case against him.

Minnesota State Senator Justin Eichorn (R) has officially RESIGNED after he was arrested for allegedly attempting to solicit a minor for prostitution.

He was texting who he thought was a 17-year-old girl for s*x but it was really an undercover officer. pic.twitter.com/4H5fCvJyFo

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 20, 2025

Law Enforcement Response

Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges made a strong statement following the arrest, emphasizing the serious nature of the allegations and the department’s commitment to protecting minors from exploitation. The operation that caught Eichorn was part of a broader initiative targeting individuals seeking commercial sex with juveniles, resulting in seven total arrests, including the state senator.

Federal authorities have also weighed in on the case, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI emphasizing their commitment to protecting children from exploitation. The case has been transferred from Hennepin County District Court to federal court, where Eichorn faces charges of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution, potentially carrying significant penalties if convicted.

Political Fallout

The arrest has created significant political upheaval in Minnesota, with members of both parties calling for Eichorn’s resignation. Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson stated that the charges warranted expulsion to maintain public trust in the institution. Eichorn, first elected in 2016 and a married father of four, ultimately resigned his position after the allegations became public, averting a formal expulsion process that Senate leadership had already begun planning.

Democratic Governor Tim Walz joined Republican lawmakers in condemning Eichorn’s alleged actions, emphasizing that such behavior toward children would not be tolerated regardless of political affiliation. The bipartisan response highlights the serious nature of the charges and the unified stance against the exploitation of minors. Eichorn is currently being held in Hennepin County Jail awaiting his initial court appearance on the federal charges.

Broader Context

The FBI and law enforcement partners have emphasized their commitment to protecting children from exploitation through operations like the one that caught Eichorn. These sting operations aim to identify and prosecute individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex with minors, addressing the broader issue of child exploitation and trafficking that continues to challenge communities across the country.

As the case proceeds through the federal court system, it serves as a stark reminder that public officials are not above the law and will be held accountable for criminal behavior, particularly when it involves the exploitation of minors. The unanimous condemnation from officials across the political spectrum reflects the gravity of the allegations and the shared commitment to protecting children from harm.