State Sen. Justin Eichorn charged in teen prostitution sting operation
Charges filed against Minnesota Republican Sen. Justin David Eichorn (Grand Rapids) allege he repeatedly tried to arrange a meeting for paid sex with someone he believed was a 17-year-old girl, but who was actually an undercover police officer.
Eichorn was arrested on Monday near the 8300 block of Normandale Avenue in Bloomington. He's now charged with one count of attempting to pay for an act of prostitution by someone who is under 18 but at least 16.
The state senator is also facing federal charges in the incident as well, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Minnesota.
The 40-year-old has served two terms as state senator for District 5 and now serves in the newly formed Senate District 6. News of his arrest on Tuesday led to widespread calls for his resignation from both Republican and Democrat lawmakers.
According to the criminal complaint, the Bloomington Police Department and other agencies launched an undercover prostitution sting operation targeting solicitation of minors for sexual conduct between March 11-13.
Officers placed advertisements on multiple websites offering prostitution services. with Eichorn allegedly responding to one of them.
Charges allege Eichorn first reached out to the undercover officer just after 9 p.m. on March 11, asking is she was available "tonight." After he didn't receive a response, he texted the same number later that night to again no response.
Federal charges say Eichorn inquired, "I saw your post and [sic] chance you are still available tonight?," following it up with later that night, "What's a guy gota do to get with the hottest girl online tonight?"
Eichorn allegedly texted the same number on March 12, asking if she was available. The officer responded that she was, and Eichorn then asked what her rates and location was. When asked what he was looking for, Eichorn responded "Qv or hhr."
"Qv" is described as a "quick visit" and "hhr" is referred to as a half hour of time for sex, according to the complaint.
The undercover officer provided her "rates" to Eichorn, and he then asked how old she was, with the officer stating she was younger than her ad stated, and was actually 17 years old.
On March 13, Eichorn reached out again, asking if she was available. He also again asked for her rates and if she was available for "half hour." The conversation continued until the officer stopped replying.
Then on March 17, Eichorn once again texted the number, asking if she was available and asking again about her rates. Her age was brought up again, clarifying she was 17 years old. Eichorn then discussed "age of consent."
The transcript of that part of the conversation reads as follows, according to the federal complaint:
"Officer: A lil younger than my ad….is that ok? I just wanna have fun and no drama babe
"Eichorn: Sure I don't know what your ad says cuz I don't have it up anymore but as long as your legal age I am fine
"Officer: I am 17…like I said don't want any drama but wanna be upfront cause one guy got hella mad at me
"Eichorn: Why was he so mad? I think age of consent is 17 when do ya turn 18?
"Officer: Idk lol he was a creep anyway. I don't turn 18 till December
"Eichorn: It's says age of consent is 16 …… over 18 is in a position of authority over you like a teacher or friends parent"
According to state law, the age of consent in Minnesota is 16 years old. However, it's a crime to engage in sexual conduct with anyone under the age of 18 years of age if the person is more than three years older than the person who is at least 16 years old. It is also illegal to hire or offer or agree to hire an individual who the person believes to be under the age of 18 years but at least 16 years to engage in sexual conduct, the federal charges highlight.
The state senator then asked for pictures of her in a "bra and underwear" to "make him feel more comfortable," knowing at that point she was under the age of 18, according to the complaint.
Eichorn also asked "how much more would it cost for bare," which the complaint claims refers to sexual conduct without the use of a condom.
He was given an address to go to, which is where he was ultimately arrested.
Inside his pickup truck, officers found two cell phones, a condom in the driver's side door, and $129 in cash. A search warrant on both phones will be conducted, the complaint states.
Eichorn remains jailed as of Wednesday afternoon. He's set to make his first court appearance on Thursday. If convicted, Eichorn faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
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