Ex-Sen. Eichorn Tried To Have Wife Clean Apt. Of Laptop, Gun: Feds

ST. PAUL, MN — Disgraced former Minnesota Sen. Justin Eichorn tried to have his wife clean his St. Paul apartment of a gun, laptop, and cell phone before FBI agents could search it, according to federal prosecutors.

Eichorn’s lawyer disputed the claim, saying the U.S. Attorney’s Office was taking statements from jail phone calls between Eichorn and his wife out of context, the Star Tribune reported.

FBI agents were posted outside Eichorn’s St. Paul apartment last week, awaiting a signed search warrant, when his wife, Brittany, approached and asked to go inside to retrieve her computer. Agents turned her away.

When agents executed the search warrant, they found a bag with a handgun, a laptop, and a cell phone that had been reset to factory settings, MPR News reported.

Prosecutors characterized the incident as an effort by Eichorn to destroy potential evidence. They urged a judge to keep him in custody until trial.

However, Special Magistrate Judge Shannon Elkins denied the request, ordering Eichorn released from federal detention to a halfway house.

"The evidence presented here today is much less clear than the government’s brief," Elkins said.

Eichorn faces federal charges of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. The 40-year-old would see a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted. The charges stem from a prostitution sting conducted by the Bloomington Police Department last week.

Eichorn was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2016. He submitted his resignation in a brief email to Gov. Tim Walz after his arrest, saying: "I must focus on personal matters at this time. It has been an honor to serve in the Minnesota Senate."

Brittany filed for divorce from Eichorn Monday in Itasca County District Court.

The divorce case was filed under "dissolution with child." Court records show Justin Eichorn is representing himself, while Brittany Eichorn is represented by attorney Jay Ramos.

Eichorn featured his entire family in a 2022 campaign ad for his re-election bid.

Undercover Investigation

The charges stem from a Bloomington Police Department sting operation targeting individuals soliciting minors for sex. Officers posted online advertisements offering prostitution services. Eichorn was among those who responded, according to the criminal complaint.

Text Conversations with Undercover Officer

Authorities say Eichorn first contacted the undercover officer on March 11, sending a text asking if she was available that night. After receiving no response, he followed up later that night and again on March 12, inquiring about rates and availability.

When the officer eventually replied, she listed rates of $80 for a "quick visit" (QV) and $120 for a half-hour (HHR). Eichorn then asked about her age, and the officer stated she was 17 years old, according to police.

Despite this, police said Eichorn continued texting over the next several days, sending messages on March 13 and March 17 to again confirm her availability and rates. He also asked for photos to "make him feel more comfortable," according to the complaint.

Among the messages, authorities say he sent:

• "I saw your post, any chance you are still available tonight?"
• "What’s a guy gotta do to get with the hottest girl online tonight?"

Eichorn also asked about specific sex acts and requested a "naughty pic," including one with "a lot less clothes," police said.

Arrest and Evidence

According to police, Eichorn eventually asked how much extra it would cost for "bare" sex—referring to unprotected intercourse. Officers then provided him with an address in Bloomington where he could meet the undercover officer.

When Eichorn arrived at the location, police arrested him on the spot. Police say a search of his vehicle uncovered:

• Two cell phones
• A Trojan condom in the driver’s side door
• $129 in cash

Investigators have obtained a search warrant for his phones as part of the ongoing investigation.