ST. PAUL — Former state Sen. Justin Eichorn pleaded not guilty in the case against him alleging he solicited a minor for prostitution.
Eichorn entered the plea in a Monday, April 21, hearing in a federal courtroom in St. Paul.
He’s been living in a halfway house in Duluth since his arrest last month, as ordered by the court.
In a motion last week, Eichorn’s defense attorneys asked for his conditions of release to be modified. His conditions barred him from contact with anyone under the age of 18 without the supervision of another adult aware of his offense.
He asked for an exception to be included in his conditions to allow him contact with his four minor children. According to the motion, Eichorn has not been in touch with his children since his March 17 arrest. However, that motion was withdrawn on Monday.
The next court hearing in the case is set for June 18.
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Contributed/Hennepin CountyJustin Eichorn’s sentencing comes a year-and-a-half after his arrest as part of an undercover law enforcement sting operation during the 2025 legislative session. -
Contributed/Minnesota SenateProsecutors are calling for five years in prison for the former Grand Rapids state senator. His defense team is arguing for time already served, plus five years of supervision. -
Contributed/Hennepin CountyThe court filing comes ahead of a Sept. 23, 2026, sentencing hearing, 18 months after Eichorn’s arrest as part of an undercover law enforcement sting operation.
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Contributed/Hennepin CountyThe guilty plea comes more than a year after the Grand Rapids Republican's arrest as part of an undercover law enforcement sting operation.
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Contributed/Bloomington Police DepartmentThe former state senator was charged in March 2025 after a prostitution sting operation in Bloomington, where an undercover police officer posed as a 17-year-old online. -
Contributed/Minnesota SenateIn seeking to move the date, Eichorn waived his rights to a speedy trial, but said he does intend to proceed to a jury trial.
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Contributed/Minnesota SenateThe former lawmaker's trial is slated to begin March 30, 2026. Eichorn was charged with soliciting a minor in 2025 after a prostitution sting operation in Bloomington, where an undercover officer posed as a 17-year-old online.
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KAXE covered natural disasters, federal funding chaos, Eichorn's arrest and resignation, mining permits and wild rice, library budget cuts, sheriffs teaming with ICE and more. -
Ekaterina Bolovtsova via PexelsA federal judge rejected most of Justin Eichorn's defense motions to dismiss the case or suppress evidence in a Nov. 26, 2025, order and recommendation.
