Former state Sen. Eichorn pleads guilty in child solicitation sting
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Former Minnesota Sen. Justin Eichorn pleaded guilty Thursday in a child solicitation sting case.
Eichorn, a Republican from Grand Rapids, was arrested in March 2025 following a sting operation. He allegedly texted with and arranged to meet someone who he believed to be a 17-year-old — who was actually an undercover detective. He was charged in federal court with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.
Eichorn reached a deal with federal prosecutors to plead guilty to lesser charges. He pleaded guilty to attempted possession of child sexual abuse material. Prosecutors told Judge Eric Tostrud the believe that will call for a 15- to 21-month prison sentence.
Eichorn initially pleaded not guilty to the coercion and enticement charges, which carry a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years.
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Eichorn acknowledged in court Thursday that he texted someone who he believed to be a 17-year-old girl through a phone number in an online prostitution ad. An undercover detective responded, telling him she was 17; he continued to send messages. He asked her for photos and made arrangements to meet in person.
Law enforcement arrested Eichorn when he arrived at the arranged meeting spot.
Eichorn resigned from the Legislature shortly after his arrest, amid calls to step down from both Republicans and Democrats. He was scheduled to face trial on the initial charges next month.
Eichorn has been out of custody while the case progresses but will now be in jail until his sentencing hearing, according to rules attached to his guilty plea.
Eichorn’s attorney Charles Hawkins argued that Eichorn should be allowed to remain out of jail. He said it was unusual for this case to be prosecuted in federal court instead of in the state’s court system – an argument Eichorn also made last year in an attempt to get the case dismissed.
“There is no evidence whatsoever that this is not just a single incident of abhorrent behavior,” Hawkins said.
He also argued that Eichorn needs ongoing treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, which he believed would be interrupted by Eichorn’s stay in jail. He also has a divorce hearing in the coming weeks.
Judge Tostrud rejected those arguments and said they don’t rise to the level that would allow Eichorn to get out of the detention guidelines.
A date for a sentencing hearing has not yet been set.
Correction (May 14, 2026): An earlier headline on this story gave an incorrect day for the court hearing. The headline has been updated.
