BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Republican State Senator Justin Eichorn of Grand Rapids was arrested Monday on suspicion of soliciting a minor for prostitution.
Bloomington Police say a detective posed as a 16-year-old girl and communicated with the 40-year-old, arranging to meet him near the 8300 block of Normandale Avenue. Authorities say Eichorn arrived by pickup and was detained without incident.
“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,” Minnesota Senate Republicans said in a statement.
“No one who solicits children belongs anywhere near public office or the State Capitol. The facts presented by the Bloomington Police Department make it clear that Senator Eichorn is an immediate danger to the public and must resign immediately,” The Minnesota DFL Party said in a statement.
“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. I have always advocated stiffer penalties for these types of offenses. We need our state legislature to take this case and this type of conduct more seriously.” Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said.
Eichorn’s biography on the legislature’s website says he’s married and has four children.
Earlier this week, he introduced a bill to classify so-called “Trump Derangement Syndrome” as a mental illness under state law.
