Former Minnesota state senator Justin Eichorn is due to be sentenced in federal court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to attempting to possess child sexual abuse material in connection with a Bloomington undercover sting.
Federal prosecutors are seeking five years in prison followed by lifetime supervised release for the 42-year-old Republican, whose original charge of attempting to coerce and entice a minor carried a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years. ([cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/prosecutors-seek-5-year-sentence-justin-eichorn/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab4i&intcid=CNR-02-0623&utm_source=openai))
Prosecutors seek five-year sentence
Eichorn admitted in May 2026 to asking for intimate images from someone he believed was a 17-year-old girl while also arranging to meet her for paid sex. The more serious charge was dropped as part of the plea agreement.
Sentencing guidelines indicate a recommended prison term of between 15 and 21 months. Prosecutors have asked the judge to depart from that range, arguing that the circumstances of the case warrant a longer sentence and that Eichorn’s conduct posed a danger to children. ([wdayradionow.com](https://www.wdayradionow.com/news/local-news/prosecutors-seek-at-least-five-year-sentence-for-former-minnesota-state-senator-in-attempt-to-possess-child-porn-case/?utm_source=openai))
The government is also seeking lifetime supervision, including restrictions on Eichorn’s use of the internet and electronic devices, as well as limits on unsupervised contact with minors.
Eichorn’s lawyer has described the proposed sentence as excessive and asked the court to impose time already served, followed by five years of supervised release. The defence has argued that he is not a dangerous offender and that the proposed term is substantially longer than sentences imposed on other defendants arrested in the same operation.
Bloomington police operation
The case arose from a March 2025 operation in which Bloomington police officers posed online as young people offering commercial sex. Investigators said Eichorn exchanged messages with an undercover officer and continued communicating after being told the person was 17.
According to the criminal complaint, Eichorn discussed the price of sex acts, asked about not using a condom and requested photographs showing less clothing. He was arrested after arriving at an agreed meeting place; police said they found cash and a condom in his pick-up truck. ([justice.gov](https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/minnesota-state-senator-charged-attempted-coercion-and-enticement-minor?utm_source=openai))
Eichorn resigned from the Minnesota Senate shortly after his arrest. He had represented District 6, which includes the Grand Rapids area.
His sentencing hearing is scheduled for 10am on Wednesday, 23 September, in federal court in St Paul. The final penalty will be determined by the judge, who is not bound by the advisory sentencing guidelines.
