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Minnesota Republican state senator Justin Eichorn resigned Thursday after being charged with soliciting a minor for prostitution, following his arrest in an FBI sting operation.
Eichorn, 40, of Grand Rapids, submitted his resignation in a letter to Gov. Tim Walz, Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson confirmed in a statement.
“This is the right thing to do for his family and the Senate,” Johnson said. “We are ready to move on and do the important work that needs to be done at the Capitol.”
Eichorn had served in the Minnesota Senate since 2016 and was married with four children, according to his official profile.
He gained notoriety recently for sponsoring a proposed bill that would recognize “Trump Derangement Syndrome” as a form of mental illness.
The FBI Sting Operation
Eichorn was arrested Monday in Bloomington as part of an undercover FBI operation targeting commercial sex involving juveniles.
According to charging documents, investigators posted multiple online ads offering sex for money. Eichorn exchanged messages for several days with an undercover officer posing as a 17-year-old girl, ultimately arranging a meet-up, where he was taken into custody.
Some of Eichorn’s alleged messages included:
- “I saw your post and (sic) chance you are still available tonight?”
- “What’s a guy gota do to get with the hottest girl online tonight.”
When arrested, officers seized:
- Two cell phones
- A condom
- $129 in cash
He has been charged federally with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution. Prosecutors said six other suspects were also arrested in the sting.
Political Fallout & Resignation
Eichorn’s arrest and resignation have sent shockwaves through Minnesota politics, with lawmakers from both parties calling for swift accountability.
His first court appearance was scheduled for Thursday afternoon. He remains jailed, and no attorney has been publicly listed to represent him.
The Minnesota Senate will now prepare for a special election to fill Eichorn’s seat, as the political fallout from the scandal continues.
