Minnesota State Senator Justin Eichorn Faces Expulsion Amidst Child Enticement Charges
Minnesota Republican State Senator Justin Eichorn is facing imminent expulsion from the state Senate following his arrest on charges of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota announced the charges, which stem from an alleged encounter orchestrated by law enforcement officials.
The case against Eichorn is detailed in an affidavit signed by an FBI special agent, outlining his correspondence with what he believed to be a 17-year-old female. Unbeknownst to Eichorn, he was communicating with detectives from the Bloomington Police Department.
According to a press release from the city of Bloomington, detectives arranged to meet with Eichorn near the 8300 block of Normandale Avenue on March 17. He was observed arriving at the location in a pickup truck and subsequently arrested without incident by uniformed Bloomington Police Officers. He was identified as Justin David Eichorn, 40, of Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
The affidavit reveals a series of text messages exchanged between Eichorn and the undercover law enforcement officer posing as the minor. In these messages, Eichorn allegedly inquired about the girl’s availability and expressed his desire to meet. Even after the officer explicitly stated she was 17 years old, Eichorn continued the communication, further escalating the situation.
The texts included suggestive messages, such as "Hey [fictitious name] I saw your post and [sic] chance you are still available tonight?" and "What’s a guy gota [sic]do to get with the hottest girl online tonight." The suspect reportedly even asked for a "naught pic" to verify her identity.
Further communication revealed Eichorn inquiring about pricing and arranging the meeting with the supposed minor. Upon his arrest, police discovered cash and an unopened condom in his vehicle, according to the affidavit.
Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges issued a stern statement regarding the arrest, emphasizing the seriousness of such offenses. "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," Hodges stated in the press release.
The case has sparked outrage and condemnation, with calls for swift and decisive action against Eichorn. Senate Republicans have announced their intention to move for his expulsion from the state Senate on Thursday morning.
Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson released a statement highlighting the gravity of the charges and the need to maintain the highest standards of conduct for elected officials. "There is no question that these charges merit expulsion," Johnson stated. "We owe it to the public to hold our members to the highest standards, and this violation of the public trust is so severe we must act. It is my hope that this quick resolution gives Senator Eichorn time to focus on his family."
The arrest and subsequent charges against Eichorn come amidst other politically charged headlines. The article mentions unrelated topics like a proposed bill in Minnesota to define "Trump Derangement Syndrome" as a mental illness, lawyers plotting to help illegal migrants evade ICE, and a proposed bill requiring law enforcement in a blue state to cooperate with ICE. These issues are unrelated to Eichorn’s case but appear to be included to provide a broader context of the political climate in Minnesota.
The article also references a previous case involving Michael Gillis, who was arrested in Bloomington, to underscore the need for stricter penalties for these types of offenses. It further highlights the advocate for tougher punishments and pushes the legislature to take such conduct more seriously.
As of publication time, Eichorn’s office had not provided a comment on the charges. It remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will unfold and what impact this scandal will have on the Minnesota Republican Party. However, the swift move to expel Eichorn from the Senate underscores the seriousness with which the party is treating the allegations and their commitment to upholding public trust. The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as the legal and political processes move forward. The focus now shifts to the potential expulsion vote and the implications for the balance of power in the Minnesota State Senate. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the political landscape of the state.
