Sen. Justin Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, allegedly responded to an online advertisement for sex and agreed to meet a 17-year-old girl in person, but the girl was actually an undercover officer, according to the U.S. Department of Justice and a statement of probable cause filed in Minnesota court Wednesday.

Eichorn was charged in a federal criminal complaint with one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, and in Hennepin County district court with one count of allegedly attempting to hire a prostitute under 18 but at least 16. The state charge was later dropped following the federal charge, which carries a higher sentence.

Eichorn was arrested in Bloomington on Monday near the 8300 block of Normandale Avenue without incident, according to the Bloomington Police Department, leading his Republican colleagues in the Senate to call for his resignation.

A Bloomington police press release Tuesday incorrectly stated the age of the non-existent minor; police posed as a 17-year-old, not a 16-year-old, as the Tuesday release asserted.

According to the federal criminal complaint, law enforcement placed advertisements for commercial sex on at least two websites that are commonly used in adult and juvenile human trafficking schemes.

The ads included photos of a female who said she was 18 and located in Bloomington.

On March 11, undercover officers received a message from Eichorn that read “Hey [fictitious name] I saw your post and (sic) chance you are still available tonight?” according to the complaint. When the cop didn’t respond, Eichorn allegedly texted again later that night and said “What’s a guy gota (sic) do to get with the hottest girl online tonight.”

Still receiving no response, Eichorn allegedly texted the number again the next day, March 12, asking if the girl was available.

The undercover officer responded to Eichorn and said that “she” was available. Eichorn allegedly replied, “Awesome where ya at and what’s your rates.”

Eichorn used terminology that suggests he’s fluent in the world of cash-for-sex. When asked what he was looking for, Eichorn allegedly replied “Qv or hhr,” which means “quick visit” or a “half hour” of sexual contact.

The undercover officer replied that she was 17. Eichorn allegedly continued to communicate with the undercover officer on March 12 and 13.

On March 17, Eichorn again allegedly texted the undercover officer asking if the girl was available. The “girl” made it clear that she was underage, according to the complaint.

“I am 17…like I said don’t want any drama but wanna be upfront cause one guy got hella mad at me,” the officer said.

Eichorn responded, “Why was he so mad? I think age of consent is 17 when do ya turn 18?”

“It says age of consent is 16 …… over 18 is in a position of authority over you like a teacher or friends parent,” Eichorn allegedly replied.

Eichorn also asked how much extra it would cost to not use a condom, according to the federal charging document.

Officers searched Eichorn’s vehicle and found two cell phones, a Trojan-brand condom and $129 in cash.

According to an order of detention, Eichorn’s bail was set at $75,000.

Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks, on Wednesday said he hasn’t spoken with Eichorn, and the Senate Republican caucus will be meeting to discuss whether to seek Eichorn’s expulsion from the chamber, which requires a two-thirds majority vote.

Eichorn’s potentially career-ending legal trouble adds to an already tumultuous legislative session. Democratic state Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, is also under a cloud of legal problems, facing a felony burglary trial after the session. She was set to go before a jury in January but had the trial delayed until after the legislative session.

Republicans have repeatedly sought to expel her since her arrest last year. Democrats have said she deserves legal due process before any decision about expulsion.

Unlike her Republican colleagues, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, did not call for Eichorn’s resignation or expulsion. Doing so would open her up to charges of hypocrisy given Mitchell’s continued service.

Having already called for his resignation, it remains to be seen if Republicans will seek an ethics case and potential expulsion of Eichorn. Expulsion of either Eichorn or Mitchell would lead to a special election. Each won their 2022 Senate races by significant margins. 

Democrats have a one-seat majority in the 34-33 Senate.

In February, Eichorn reposted an article on Facebook about attempts to expel Mitchell, saying that the “growing scandal keeps pulling focus from the Legislature’s important work. We need to end the disruption and let voters choose a new senator.”

In 2021 he objected to a bill requiring Minnesota schools to teach about sexual orientations and gender identities, saying “before you know it, they’ll be reading kids ‘50 Shades of Grey.’ This discussion is better had at a more mature age.”

Eichorn also co-authored a bill to classify “Trump Derangement Syndrome” as a mental illness.

Eichorn was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2016 and works at his family’s outdoor store in Grand Rapids.