Minnesota Republican Sen. Justin Eichorn has been arrested on suspicion of soliciting a minor for prostitution, according to Bloomington police.
Bloomington police said in a press release that detectives communicated with Eichorn, who thought he was talking to a 16-year-old female, and arranged to meet him at a location near the 8300 block of Normandale Avenue in Bloomington Monday.
According to police, Eichorn was observed arriving in the area in a pickup truck and was arrested without incident outside of his vehicle by uniformed officers.
Police said he was booked into the Bloomington Police Department’s jail and will be transported to the Hennepin County Adult Detention Center. Felony charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution are pending from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, the press release said.
“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 we are going to lock you up,” Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said. “I have always advocated for stiffer penalties for these types of offenses. The recent case involving Michael Gillis who was arrested in Bloomington is a prime example of why we need stronger penalties. We need our state legislature to take this case and this type of conduct more seriously.”
Eichorn is in his third term representing the Grand Rapids area in the Minnesota Senate. He is married with four children.
His arrest comes as another state senator, Democrat Nicole Mitchell, faces felony burglary charges. Senate Republicans have repeatedly called for her resignation, filed multiple ethics complaints against her, and attempted to expel her from the chamber.
Republicans in the Minnesota House and Senate released statements Tuesday afternoon calling for Eichorn’s immediate resignation.
“We are shocked by these reports and this alleged conduct demands an immediate resignation,” the Minnesota Senate Republican caucus said.
“Given the seriousness of the charges, Senator Eichorn should resign. While he is entitled to due process, we must hold legislators to a higher standard,” added House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, and Leader Harry Niska, R-Ramsey.
This story was updated with statements from House and Senate Republicans. This is a developing story.
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
