Editor's Note: This story was updated 9:45 a.m. 3/20/25 to report the charge filed by the Hennepin County Attorney's Office has since been dropped in deference to the federal charge.
BLOOMINGTON — State Sen. Justin Eichorn allegedly sought paid sex from an undercover officer posing as a 17-year-old multiple times over the course of nearly a week, according to charges filed against him Wednesday, March 19.
The Bloomington Police Department arrested the 40-year-old Grand Rapids Republican Monday night on the 6800 block of Normandale Avenue in Bloomington after he arrived in a pickup truck to meet who he apparently believed was a sex worker. Uniformed officers also searched Eichorn's vehicle and found two cellphones, a condom and $129 cash.
Charges were filed at both the state level and federal level against Eichorn. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office has since announced it would drop its case because of the federal charge, describing the act as common practice.
The Hennepin County criminal complaint stated that between March 11-13 and again on Monday, March 17, Eichorn contacted the undercover officer through an online prostitution ad. He requested rates for "Qv or hhr," which according to police, stands for "quick visit" or a half-hour of time for sexual conduct. The officer told Eichorn she was 17 years old at least two separate times over the course of the conversations.
"The defendant [Eichorn] discussed 'age of consent' and asked for pictures ... to make him feel more comfortable," the complaint stated. "The defendant asked how much more it would cost for 'bare' which refers to sexual conduct without use of a condom."
According to the federal complaint, Eichorn stated that he thought the age of consent was 17 before later texting, "It's [sic] says age of consent is 16 ...... over 18 is in a position of authority over you like a teacher or friends parent."
Eichorn faces one felony federal charge of agreeing to hire a person under 18 years old for prostitution, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years. His first court appearance is set for 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
Within hours of news breaking of Eichorn's arrest on Tuesday, leaders of both of the state's major political parties called for his immediate resignation.
In a statement posted to Facebook, the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus wrote, "We are shocked by these reports and this alleged conduct demands an immediate resignation. Justin has a difficult road ahead and he needs to focus on his family."
The DFL Party also made a resignation demand.
“No one who solicits children belongs anywhere near public office or the State Capitol,” stated Heidi Kraus Kaplan, Minnesota DFL executive director. “The facts presented by the Bloomington Police Department make it clear that Senator Eichorn is an immediate danger to the public and must resign immediately.”
Eichorn's arrest made national news, appearing in The New York Times and other national outlets. The same day as his arrest, he'd gained attention as one of the co-authors of a bill introduced in the Minnesota Senate that seeks to add so-called "Trump Derangement Syndrome" to the definition of mental illness in statute. The bill defines this is an “acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal persons that is in reaction to the policies and presidencies of President Donald J. Trump.”
Eichorn has served in the Minnesota Senate since he was first elected in 2016. He was reelected in 2020 and 2022. Following redistricting, Senate District 6 includes the city of Grand Rapids and extends southward to include the majority of Crow Wing County, including Brainerd and Baxter, and eastern Cass County.
In February, he was named chairman of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.
More on the arrest
The Bloomington Police Department, in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies including the FBI, conducted an undercover prostitution operation targeting solicitation of minors for sex at the time of Eichorn's arrest, according to the state criminal complaint.
Officers placed ads on multiple websites offering prostitution services.
The state charging document states that Eichorn first contacted the undercover officer at 9:04 p.m. March 11 by texting the number in the ad and asking if she was available that night. When he did not receive a response, he texted again later that same night.
According to the federal complaint, Eichorn asked in a text, "What's a guy gota [sic] do to get with the hottest girl online tonight."
He texted the same number again on March 12 after not yet receiving a response, asking if she was available. The undercover officer replied that she was available, and Eichorn asked for her rates and location. The officer told Eichorn she charged $80 for a QV (quick visit) or $120 for hhr (a half-hour.) Eichorn then asked how old she was, to which she advised she was younger than her ad and was 17 years old.
On March 13, Eichorn contacted the number on the ad again asking about availability and rates, and the conversation continued until the undercover officer did not reply.
Eichorn then reached out again on March 17, asking for rates and availability. Later that night, Eichorn arrived at the discussed address and was arrested.
In the police department's Tuesday news release, Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges referred to the area as the "Orange Jumpsuit District."
“I have always advocated stiffer penalties for these types of offenses," Hodges continued, pointing to the recent case involving an Eden Prairie man charged with rape while out on bail for soliciting minors for sex. "We need our state legislature to take this case and this type of conduct more seriously."
