Minnesota Senator Arrested for Allegedly Soliciting Minor for Prostitution

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Minnesota state Sen. Justin Eichorn was arrested Monday for allegedly soliciting a minor for prostitution. The 40-year-old Republican from Grand Rapids was taken into custody near the 8300 block of Normandale Avenue around 6 p.m., according to Bloomington police.

Bloomington Police Department officials stated that Eichorn believed he was communicating with a 16-year-old girl through online messages, but was actually conversing with a police detective. Following arrangements for a meeting, he was apprehended outside his vehicle without incident.

Eichorn has been booked into the Bloomington city jail, where he remains in custody as the investigation continues. At this time, he has not been formally charged with a crime, but the case has been forwarded to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for consideration of charges.

In a statement, Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges emphasized the seriousness of the situation, asserting, “As a 40-year-old man, if you come to the Orange Jumpsuit District looking to have sex with someone’s child, you can expect that we are going to lock you up.”

Eichorn, a figure in Minnesota politics since his election to the Senate in 2016, has been described in his biography as an entrepreneur and family man, who is married with four children.

Following the news of Eichorn’s arrest, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, expressed her distress, stating, “The felony allegation against Senator Eichorn is deeply disturbing and raises serious questions that will need to be answered by the court, as well as his caucus and constituents.”

Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-Grand Forks, also reacted, mentioning he was still gathering information and would provide a comment at a later date.

This incident has raised concerns around the behavior of public officials, with calls for greater accountability and awareness of such allegations. nFurther updates will be provided as the story develops.