A Minnesota state senator arrested earlier this week for soliciting a minor for prostitution now faces additional charges from the county and federal jurisdictions.
Justin Eichorn, a 40-year-old married father of of four, was arrested by Bloomington Police on Monday when he allegedly solicited an undercover officer instead of the 17-year-old girl he thought he was communicating with, as CrimeOnline reported.
On Wednesday, he was charged in Hennepin County with felony prostitution and in federal court with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, KMSP reported.
According to the federal complaint, Bloomington Police had launched an undercover operation targeting commercial sex involving juveniles. They began receiving messages from Eichorn on March 11, when he responded to an ad and asked if there was a “chance you are still available tonight?”
“What’s a guy gota do to get with the hottest girl online tonight?” he asked later.
The messages continued over serveral days, with the undercover officer repeatedly telling Eichorn she was 17, but Eichorn asked for pricing about various sex acts and then arranged a meeting to pay for sex. He also asked for “a naught pic” including one “with a lot less clothes.”
He eventually settled on a a date and time and was arrested when he arrived.
“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 D. Kirkpatrick. “I am grateful to the Bloomington Police Department, to the FBI, and to all law enforcement officers who use undercover operations to identify and arrest child sex predators to prevent them from abusing real children.”
After Eichorn’s initial arrested, state Republican leaders called for his resignation.
“We are shocked by these reports and this alleged conduct demands an immediate resignation,” the Senate Republican leadership said in a statement. “Justin has a difficult road ahead, and he needs to focus on his family.”
“As Republicans, we hold elected officials to a higher standard,” said state GOP Chair Alex Plechasha. “While Senator Eichorn is entitled to due process, the seriousness of these charges warrants his resignation. Public trust and accountability must come first.”
The state House Speaker, Lisa Demuth, and leader Harry Niska also called for Eichorn’s resignation.
On the same day of his arrest in Bloomington, Eichorn, who has served in the state senate since 2916, was one of five Republicans to introduce a bill that would designate “Trump derangement syndrome” as a mental illness in the state of Minnesota.
Eichorn has yet to comment on his arrest.
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[Featured image: Justin Eichorn/Hennepin County Jail]