Ex-Sen. Eichorn's trial for allegedly soliciting minor moved to June

ST. PAUL — A federal trial for former state Sen. Justin Eichorn, originally scheduled for the end of March, was pushed back until June.

Eichorn and his attorney requested the trial date be changed because of scheduling conflicts for the defense.

Eichorn was charged with soliciting a minor last spring after a prostitution sting operation in Bloomington, where an undercover police officer posed as a 17-year-old online.

The former legislator who represented Senate District 6, including the cities of Grand Rapids and Brainerd, resigned shortly after the criminal charge.

In seeking to move the date, Eichorn waived his rights to a speedy trial, but said he does intend to proceed to a jury trial.

A pretrial conference is now scheduled for May 27 at the U.S. Courthouse in St. Paul, with the trial set to begin June 1.

Last month, U.S. District Court Judge Eric C. Tostrud issued an order and opinion upholding a magistrate judge's previous findings, rejecting motions for case dismissal and evidence suppression. Eichorn's defense argued he was the target of vindictive and selective prosecution because of his status as an elected official, and that he was subject to warrantless search and seizure at the time of his arrest.