Ex-legislator Eichorn gets 16 months in prison in underage solicitation case

ST. PAUL — Ex-Minnesota state Sen. Justin Eichorn was sentenced to 16 months in prison Wednesday, Sept. 23, for planning to meet who he thought was a 17-year-old girl for paid sex last year.

Eichorn’s sentencing comes 18 months after his arrest as part of an undercover law enforcement sting operation during the 2025 legislative session. Originally charged with soliciting a minor, Eichorn, 42, pleaded guilty to a lesser child pornography charge as part of plea deal.

The former 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 in March 2025. During text conversations, Eichorn asked the officer for photos on multiple occasions after she told him her purported age.

The sentence from federal Judge Eric C. Tostrud is less than the five years requested by prosecutors and more than the request for no additional prison time beyond what he has served by Eichorn’s defense team.

The sentence is within what guidelines call for when taking into account the Grand Rapids Republican’s criminal history and timely acceptance of responsibility. The pornography charge carries 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.

Eichorn was remanded back into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service on Wednesday.

In an emailed statement after the sentencing, Eichorn’s defense attorney Brent A. Hannafan said his client accepted full responsibility for what he did when he pleaded guilty in May.

“Today he told the judge, ‘What I did was both morally wrong and a serious crime, and I have no one to blame but myself,’” the statement read. “ ... He will serve his sentence and follow every condition of his supervision. He greatly appreciates all the love and support he has received from his family and friends.”

Eichorn must also spend five years on supervised release after serving his prison term.

Earlier this month, 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 of five years.

“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.”

In response, defense attorneys Hannafan and Ryan Pacyga argued the government's position "would create a massive sentencing disparity between Mr. Eichorn and similarly situated defendants."

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

In February, 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.