US Attorney's Office seeks 5-year sentence for former lawmaker Eichorn

ST. PAUL — The Department of Justice is seeking a five-year sentence and a life term of supervised release for former state Sen. Justin Eichorn after he pleaded guilty to attempting to possess child pornography.

The court filing comes ahead of Eichorn’s Sept. 23 sentencing hearing in St. Paul, 18 months after Eichorn’s arrest as part of an undercover law enforcement sting operation.

The sentence is tougher than what guidelines call for when taking into account the Grand Rapids Republican’s criminal history and timely acceptance of responsibility. The pornography charge includes a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, but the sentencing guidelines in Eichorn’s case range from 15-21 months. The original charge of soliciting a minor carried a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years.

U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Classen argued the nature and circumstances of the offense justified the longer prison term.

The ex-lawmaker planned to meet with a police officer, who he believed was a 17-year-old girl, for paid sex and was arrested outside a Bloomington hotel during the 2025 legislative session. During text conversations, Eichorn asked the officer for photos on multiple occasions after she told him her purported age.

“The defendant’s conduct demonstrates a wanton willingness to pursue sexual gratification at the expense of the safety and well-being of children, and a specific desire and plan to exploit and victimize a child,” the court filing states. “When perpetrators are successful, these crimes shatter childhoods and ruin lives.”

The sentencing request also includes requiring Eichorn to participate in sex offender treatment programming and restricting his unsupervised access to minors. His supervised release would involve sex-offender specific conditions, such as limited access to internet and electronic devices, internet monitoring and searches of his person and property.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office further argued the sentence was appropriate not only for Eichorn’s specific case, but as a general deterrent for others who may commit such crimes.

“Given the pervasive nature of smart phones and other electronic devices with internet access, the Court is in a position to send a strong message to prospective abusers,” the court document stated.

Eichorn’s attorneys could argue for a lighter sentence, or the judge could impose a harsher one.

The Republican was first elected in 2016 and most recently represented Senate District 6. The married father of four has often described himself as a “Christian family man” and touted views of family values. Eichorn resigned from his Senate seat three days after his arrest, triggering a special election for Senate District 6 that resulted in now-Sen. Keri Heintzeman winning the seat.

His trial was originally set to begin June 1.

In February, 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.