The wife of former Minnesota Senator Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) has filed for divorce following his arrest for allegedly trying to meet up with a teen girl for sex.
New details in the case against the ex-lawmaker reveal a potentially damning move made after his arrest.
According to prosecutors, Eichorn made a recorded phone call from jail asking an unnamed woman to retrieve his laptop before the FBI could execute a search of his apartment.
Despite being warned that all jail calls are recorded, Eichorn made the request anyway. But when the woman arrived at the unit—where Eichorn lived alone during legislative sessions—it was too late. Federal agents had already conducted the search. (RELATED: Disgusted Cops Confront Rising Star Republican)
Citing concerns over obstruction and tampering with evidence, prosecutors successfully argued to keep Eichorn in jail as the case moves forward.
As CBS News reports:
In a court order filed Monday, Justin Eichorn’s release was stayed pending the outcome of a detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday morning. He was originally scheduled to be released to a halfway house as early as Tuesday.
Eichorn, 40, was arrested in a Bloomington sting operation and later charged in federal court with attempted coercion or enticement of a minor. The Republican from Grand Rapids later resigned.
The judge’s decision comes after prosecutors accused Eichorn of attempting to hide evidence at his St. Paul apartment. He faces allegations that he tried to have a laptop removed from the apartment and a phone was found reset to factory default settings. He also allegedly lied about having a firearm in the residence, but a handgun was discovered inside.
Prosecutors moved for the judge to stay Eichorn’s release.
“Eichorn’s post-arrest conduct, including his lie to pretrial services concerning his possession of a gun, make clear that he does not intend to be truthful or to respect legal process,” the prosecution claimed. “Instead, his conduct strongly suggests a willingness—and actual steps taken—to frustrate the ongoing child-sex investigation into his conduct.”
Prosecutors added that the defendant’s behavior made it likely he would reoffend and victimize others.
A special election has been scheduled for April 29, 2025, to fill the Minnesota Senate District 6 seat vacated by Eichorn following his resignation amid allegations of soliciting sex from a minor.
The candidate filing period is from March 26 to April 1, 2025. If multiple candidates from the same party file, a primary election will be held on April 15, 2025.
Several candidates have already announced their intention to run, including Republican Jennifer Carnahan, the mayor of Nisswa and a former Minnesota GOP chair.
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One in that party. Multiply by at least 5 for the other party. Start investigating. Probably not too hard to find! All need to go!
Be careful how you vote. Yes, some republicans are scuzzy. And primaries are important.