State Senator Charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor

Minnesota state Senator Justin David Eichorn has been charged with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. 

According to acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick, undercover Bloomington Police detectives began receiving messages from Eichorn March 11th during an undercover operation to target commercial sex involving juveniles. 

Law enforcement placed online advertisements offering commercial sex. Unbeknownst to the prospective buyers, it was in fact undercover law enforcement officers. According to the criminal complaint, the undercover officer repeatedly said that she was 17 years old. Authorities say Eichorn proceeded to ask the undercover officer about pricing for various sex acts she might perform, and then Eichorn arranged an in-person meet-up to pay for commercial sex. Police say Eichorn was arrested after he arrived at the agreed-upon location. 

Eichorn was charged by complaint Wednesday in U.S. District Court with one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.

A complaint is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.