A Minnesota State Senator was arrested for allegedly soliciting a minor for prostitution in police sting.
Justin Eichron, 40, was caught by the Bloomington Police Department Monday after he allegedly arranged to meet up with who he thought was a 17-year-old girl to have sex.
Bloomington Police said a detective arranged to meet with him near the 8300 block of Normandale Boulevard.
He was observed arriving in the area by pickup truck then arrested without incident outside of his vehicle by uniformed officers.
‘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,’ Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said.
He was booked into the Bloomington Police Department jail and will be transported to the Hennepin County Adult Detention Center.
Felony charges of Soliciting Under 18 Year Old to Practice Prostitution are pending from the Hennepin County Attorney’s office.
Eichron is a Republican State Senator who was first elected in 2016, according to his senate biography.
Justin Eichron, 40, was caught by Bloomington Police Department detectives Monday after allegedly arranged to meet up with a teenage girl for sex
Eichron is a Republican State Senator who was first elected in 2016
He is married and has four children
Originally from Grand Rapids, he is married and has four children.
The Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus swiftly condemned his arrested and called for Eichron to resign, according to the Star Tribune.
‘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,’ the caucus said.
State House Republican leadership also called on Eichron to resign after the news of his arrest broke.
‘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,’ they said.
Minnesota Democrats also condemned his actions and called him a danger to the public.
‘No one who solicits children belongs anywhere near public office or the State Capitol,’ said Minnesota DFL executive director Heidi Kraus Kaplan.
‘The facts presented by [police] make it clear that Senator Eichorn is an immediate danger to the public and must resign immediately.’
‘The felony allegation against Senator Eichorn is deeply disturbing, and raises serious questions that will need to be answered by the court, as well as his caucus and constituents,’ read a statement from Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy.
