World News | Minnesota Judge Says Ex-senator Arrested in Prostitution Sting Can Be Released to Halfway House | LatestLY

A former Minnesota state senator, Justin Eichorn, who faces charges for attempting to solicit a minor for prostitution, has been granted release to a halfway house pending trial. A US magistrate judge, Shannon Elkins, determined that Eichorn does not pose a significant risk to the community, despite the serious nature of the charges against him, which carry a minimum sentence of 10 years if convicted. Eichorn, a Republican from Grand Rapids, has not yet entered a plea.

Eichorn was arrested on March 17 after allegedly arranging to meet an undercover officer posing as a 17-year-old girl for sex in exchange for money. Following his arrest, he resigned from the state Senate on March 20. Federal prosecutors sought to prevent his release, claiming Eichorn attempted to obstruct their investigation while in jail by contacting a known associate to retrieve items from his apartment that could potentially conceal evidence.

In court, his defense attorney, Charles Hawkins, clarified that the associate in question is Eichorn's wife. He argued that the items related to their apartment rental business rather than evidence destruction. The Eichorns have four children, and his wife filed for divorce just prior to the hearing.

During a search of Eichorn's apartment, the FBI discovered $1,000 in cash, a 9 mm handgun, and several electronic devices, including a laptop and an iPhone, which had reportedly been reset to erase its contents. Although the FBI agent acknowledged that the iPhone's reset occurred before Eichorn's interactions with the undercover officer, they continue to examine it.

Prosecutors allege that Eichorn misled a pretrial services officer regarding the presence of firearms in his home. However, Hawkins contended that the misunderstanding stemmed from noisy conditions. He argued that the handgun was in Eichorn's possession due to threats related to his legislative actions. After the hearing, Hawkins stated he would personally take Eichorn to the halfway house in Duluth, while Eichorn opted not to comment to reporters.