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Insets: A laptop and handgun that Justin Eichorn was allegedly trying to take out of his home before police could (Justice Department). Background: Sen. Justin Eichorn speaking on March 11, 2025 (WCCO/YouTube).
A state senator from Minnesota who was ordered to “resign in disgrace” after being arrested for trying to meet up with an underage sex worker — with him doing so last week — is now facing allegations of obstruction for allegedly telling a woman to swipe a computer and other items from his home during a phone call from jail, police say.
Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) — who was best known for his lobbying and support of a “Trump Derangement Syndrome” bill in the Gopher State up until his child solicitation arrest on March 17 — was accused in court documents filed Sunday of lying to federal prosecutors about at least three different things that he allegedly did that temporarily prevented him from being released by a judge this week on bail.
“Eichorn lied to the Court about his access to firearms; Eichorn apparently orchestrated an effort to retrieve a computer from his St. Paul apartment to deprive investigators of the opportunity to examine it; and Eichorn kept with that computer an iPhone that FBI agents found in a recently ‘factory reset’ condition, suggesting that someone with access to the phone’s accounts attempted to wipe it,” prosecutors said in a motion to detain Eichorn, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. “These facts give the government, and should give the Court, serious concern that Eichorn may be attempting to obstruct the ongoing investigation into his conduct,” prosecutors said.
Eichorn, 40, was originally accused of contacting an undercover cop posing as a teenager over the phone to arrange a meeting with them at a location in Bloomington, which is about 10 miles south of Minneapolis. The GOP senator allegedly went to meet the purported teen sex worker near the 8300 block of Normandale Avenue, where authorities swooped in and busted him.
“Im 17 sry don’t want u 2 b mad,” the undercover told Eichorn, according to the DOJ’s motion.
“Ok will ya send me a naught pic of you to show me your real? [SIC]” Eichorn allegedly replied.
Describing ages of consent, the senator allegedly told the cop: “It’s says age of consent is 16 …… over 18 is in a position of authority over you like a teacher or friends parent.” Eichorn arranged to meet up with the undercover and was taken into custody upon his arrival.
“We are shocked by these reports and this alleged conduct demands an immediate resignation,” Senate Republicans said in a joint statement Tuesday after Eichorn’s arrest was first announced.
“Resign in disgrace,” said Rep. Elliott Engen (R-White Bear Township) on X. “Prosecute to the fullest. Throw away the key.”
According to the Justice Department, Eichorn called a female he knows from jail on March 19 and March 20 and asked her to retrieve a “red bag” from his house with $1,000 in cash; a handgun and ammunition; a laptop computer; an SD memory card; an Apple iPhone, and several of Eichorn’s state Senate business cards. Prosecutors say he did this knowing that all of his calls were being recorded, with there even being a message advising both callers that “the phone call is not private and is recorded,” per their Sunday motion.
“When they got me they broke my ring,” Eichorn allegedly told the woman. “Uh, there should be an extra one there, cause I have the extra one in my bag. It might, it’s either in the bathroom or on the counter by my red bag. If you’re willing to get that for me I would so like to have that if it’s OK.”
The woman replied, “Ok.”
Eichorn then asked, “Are you OK with that? If you’re not you should just leave it there.” The woman said, “I will grab whatever you need me to grab.”
Authorities obtained a warrant on Friday, March 21, to search Eichorn’s residence and they encountered the woman trying to retrieve the computer. After stopping her, they found the red bag with the items inside and the alleged laptop in question, according to court documents.
“(The woman) asked whether she could retrieve a computer from the apartment, which she said was used for her business,” the DOJ explained Sunday. “When FBI agents declined, (the woman) left. A few minutes later, the case agent from the FBI called (the woman) and asked that she return to the apartment building to be interviewed. She asked whether she was ‘legally required to,’ and when the case agent responded that she was not, she declined.”
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When Eichorn was arrested, authorities seized two cellphones from him and an unopened condom. Photos included with the DOJ’s motion to detain him on Sunday showed the pistol and other items he had in the red bag, along with his laptop computer.
“Eichorn’s messages and conduct reveal an experienced operator,” prosecutors said. “His pretrial release brings with it a real risk that he would attempt to victimize other minors in the community.”
The judge overseeing Eichorn’s case blocked his release Monday and ordered him to appear for a joint preliminary and detention hearing Wednesday. He will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals until then.
“I must focus on personal matters at this time,” Eichorn said in a resignation message last week, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune. The senator sent out the statement from the Hennepin County Jail, where he’s being held on a charge of Soliciting Under 18 Year Old to Practice Prostitution. His wife reportedly filed for divorce from him on Friday as news circulated about his arrest and the allegations against him.
“There is a line in the sand,” said Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks) in a statement to the Star Tribune. “If you’re accused with a felony, I think that’s serious enough — our law has distinguished that as a very serious crime. This clearly is a very serious crime.”
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