A Republican Minnesota state senator was charged Wednesday in both state and federal courts in connection to allegedly soliciting prostitution from a detective posing as a 17-year-old girl.
Justin Eichorn, 40, was arrested by Bloomington Police on Monday after they said they had communication with the state senator. Eichorn gained national headlines earlier this week after he co-authored a bill in the Minnesota Senate wanting to define “Trump derangement syndrome” as a mental illness.
Federal prosecutors charged Eichorn with one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution.
Following the news of the filing of federal charges, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty told the Minnesota Star Tribune her office is dismissing its case, leaving only the federal case open.
As of Wednesday afternoon, no attorney representing Eichorn was listed in online court records.
USA TODAY attempted multiple times to contact Eichorn’s office but has not received a response.
According to federal court records obtained by USA TODAY, detectives “placed advertisements for commercial sex” on two publicly available websites. Police said these advertisements then attracted several people like Eichorn, who began conversations with undercover agents posting as underage girls.
Then on March 11, investigators say Eichorn contacted one of the “girls” through the online advertisements.
“Hey (fictitious name) I saw your post and (sic) chance you are still available tonight?” according to court records. “What’s a guy gota do to get with the hottest girl online tonight.”
Court records then say that Eichorn contacted the undercover agent posting as a girl on March 12 and 13. During those interactions, investigators say Eichorn asked the “girl” what her age was, to which the undercover agent said 17.
Police said the conversations during these dates included “the undercover’s ‘rates,’ her supposed age, and sex acts.”
Four days later, Eichorn is alleged to have contacted the undercover agent again, this time asking when they would be available to meet up as well as again asking for “rates.” In the court filing, texts between Eichorn and the undercover agent were shared.
In one text exchange, Eichorn is alleged to have had full knowledge of the “girls” age.
“I am 17…like I said don’t want any drama but wanna be upfront cause one guy got hella mad at me,” the undercover agent said.
“Why was he so mad? I think age of consent is 17 when do ya turn 18?” Eichorn replied, according to court documents.
Court records then say Eichorn agreed to meet with the “girl” the next day. On Monday, police arrested him after the state senator arrived to meet the “girl,” and when police searched Eichorn’s car, they found two phones, an unopened condom as well as more than $120 in cash that he believed would have covered 30 minutes of sex.
Eichorn and four other state senators gained national attention this week after proposing a bill that would add “Trump derangement syndrome” to the state’s definition of mental illness.
The bill described the “syndrome” as “the acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal persons that is in reaction to the policies and presidencies of (Trump).”
Moreover, the bill described symptoms of the syndrome as “verbal expressions of extreme hostility” against the president, as well as acts of aggression and violence toward his supporters and symbols.
Following the news of the arrest, the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus demanded that Eichorn resign.
“We are shocked by these reports and this alleged conduct demands an immediate resignation. Justin has a difficult road ahead and he needs to focus on his family,” a statement on Facebook said.
Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, a Democrat, told WCCO-TV that the allegations against Eichorn are “disturbing.”
“The felony allegation against Sen. Eichorn is deeply disturbing, and raises serious questions that will need to be answered by the court, as well as his caucus and constituents,” she said.
Contributing: Kinsey Crowley
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
