Justin Eichorn resigns as senator after arrest for soliciting a minor
Republican Justin Eichorn has resigned from his position as senator for Grand Rapids following his arrest this week for allegedly soliciting sex from a minor.
Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson said he had been notified that Eichorn had tendered his resignation, effective today, and that it had been accepted by Gov. Tim Walz.
"This is the right thing to do for his family and the Senate," said Sen. Johnson (R-East Grand Forks). "We are ready to move on and do the important work that needs to be done at the Capitol."
The 40-year-old's arrest sparked a flood of calls for his resignation from legislators on both sides of the aisle.
He has been charged with one count of attempting to pay for an act of prostitution by someone who is under 18 but at least 16, and federal charges for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.
Eichorn was arrested following a Bloomington Police sting operation that saw an officer pose as a 17-year-old girl and post advertisements on multiple websites offering prostitution services. Charges filed on Wednesday allege Eichorn made several attempts to arrange a meeting with the girl, even after he was told that she was 17.
At one point, Eichorn allegedly messaged the undercover officer: "I think age of consent is 17 when do ya turn 18?"
The state senator is also alleged to have asked for pictures of the girl 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.
When arrested in Bloomington, officers found two cell phones, a condom in the driver's side door, and $129 in cash in his pickup truck. A search warrant on both phones will be conducted, the complaint states.
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.
The federal charges also note it is illegal to hire or offer or agree to hire an individual whom the person believes to be under the age of 18 years, but is at least 16 years old, to engage in sexual conduct.
Eichorn served two terms as a state senator for District 5 and now serves in the newly formed Senate District 6. It covers parts of Itasca, Cass, and Crow Wing counties, with Grand Rapids and Brainerd Lakes being the population centers.
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