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 However, that motion was withdrawn on Monday.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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Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe Republican won all but 11 of 80 precincts in Senate District 6 in her April 29, 2025, special election victory. Seven precincts that voted red in 2022 flipped. -
Contributed/Minnesota SenateJustin Eichorn was arrested on March 17, 2025, at a parking lot in Bloomington, where he allegedly expected to meet the underage girl to pay for sex. -
Plus: the winter sports season has come to an end, with Northland boys basketball teams having a strong finish at the weekend's state tournament. -
Contributed/Hennepin CountyIn a new motion, the federal government is asking for the former state senator to remain jailed, calling him a flight risk and a danger to the community. -
Contributed/Keri Heintzeman for SenateHeintzeman is a Republican political organizer and wife of state Rep. Josh Heintzeman, R-Nisswa. She announced her candidacy on social media, emphasizing "conservative values." -
Contributed/Emily LeClaireEmily LeClaire made the Senate District 6 announcement on her candidate Facebook page, which was originally for her 2024 run for the Minnesota House District 6B. -
Contributed/IRRRRep. Roger Skraba, vice chair of the board, initiated the call for a special meeting to reorganize the board and select a new chair. -
Contributed/Minnesota State SenateThe resignation means a vote to expel the senator will no longer take place, and lays the groundwork for a special election to fill the vacancy in Senate District 6. -
Contributed/Hennepin CountyPolice arrested the 40-year-old Grand Rapids Republican on March 17, 2025, in Bloomington after he arrived to meet who he apparently believed was a 17-year-old sex worker.
