Latest news with #SenateDistrict6
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wife of Justin Eichorn files for divorce after his teen prostitution sting arrest
The wife of former Sen. Justin Eichorn has filed for divorce in the wake of his charges for allegedly soliciting a minor Court records show Brittany Eichorn filed a dissolution with child case in Itasca County on Monday. Details of the case are being withheld after a motion of confidentiality was filed and has yet to be decided upon by a judge as of Tuesday. Eichorn, 40, resigned from his position in Senate District 6 last week after being charged with attempting to solicit a minor who identified herself as 17 years old, but was actually an undercover Bloomington police detective. 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 is also facing federal charges for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Gov. Tim Walz called for a special election to take place on April 15 to fill his since-vacated senate filed a court motion on Sunday in the federal case against Eichorn, asking for the 40-year-old to remain jailed after he was set to be released to a halfway house this week. They cited that Eichorn "poses a serious risk of flight" and if he was released "will attempt to obstruct justice." The filing alleges that Eichorn orchestrated an effort to retrieve a laptop from his St. Paul apartment "to deprive investigators of the opportunity to examine it." Prosecutors also accuse Eichorn of having an iPhone connected to the laptop and found it in a "factory reset" condition, suggesting that someone with access to the phone attempted to wipe it. He remains in custody at the Sherburne County Jail as of Tuesday.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
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.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
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.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Minnesota State Senator Justin Eichorn arrested on suspicion of soliciting a minor
Minnesota Republican Sen. Justin David Eichorn has been arrested on suspicion of solicitation of an underage girl for sex. The Bloomington Police Department says Eichorn, 40, of Grand Rapids, was arrested on Monday near the 8300 block of Normandale Avenue. Police Chief Booker Hodges says it follows a sting operation that saw a detective communicate with a suspect while posing as a 16-year-old girl, and arranging a meeting. Police allegedly spotted Eichorn in the area in a pickup truck at the time of his arrest. Eichorn has since been taken to the Bloomington Police Department jail and is being transferred to the Hennepin County Jail on pending charges of soliciting someone under 18 years old to practice prostitution. 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. Eichorn's Senate profile lists his occupation as "entrepreneur and business management.". At this time, Eichorn has not been formally charged with a crime. Bring Me The News does not typically name suspects who are yet to be charged, but does so in instances involving elected officials. Eichorn was one of five Republican lawmakers to introduce a bill that would designate "Trump Derangement Syndrome" a mental illness in Minnesota, a bill that was widely criticized by Democrats and mental health advocates. Republican House Speaker Rep. Lisa Demuth and Rep. Harry Niska issued a joint statement on the matter, calling for Eichorn to resign. 'Given the seriousness of the charges, Senator Eichorn should resign. While he is entitled to due process, we must hold legislators to a higher standard," the statement reads. Bring Me The News reached out to the state Republican party and Eichorn's office for comment but have not heard back as of Tuesday afternoon. An investigation remains active. Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement's latest version of events, and may be subject to change.
