Arrested in underage sex sting, Minnesota lawmaker resigns

Republican state senator Justin Eichorn resigned Thursday before the Minnesota Senate could vote on his expulsion. Bloomington Police arrested Eichorn, 40, on Monday on charges of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. He was expected to appear in federal court Thursday afternoon.

How have public officials responded to the arrest? Minnesota Republicans called for Eichorn to resign on Tuesday when the charges became public. They were preparing to expel him on Thursday when he resigned, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported. State Senate Majority Leader Mark Johnson said Eichorn’s resignation was the best option for both the Senate and his family. Eichorn is married and has four children.

How did officers catch Eichorn? Eichorn was caught by a police sting operation meant to suppress the demand for juvenile sex trafficking, according to an FBI agent’s affidavit. According to the Wednesday court filing, Eichorn communicated with an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 17-year-old girl. Eichorn allegedly solicited inappropriate photos from the fictitious girl and arranged to meet up for sex. Police arrested him when he arrived at the predetermined location.