Former state lawmaker Justin Eichorn released after arrest for alleged enticement of a minor

Former Minnesota state Senator Justin Eichorn was granted pre-trial release on Wednesday after being charged with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor during a prostitution sting. The 40-year-old Republican allegedly arranged a meeting with a 17-year-old girl for sexual purposes on March 17.

Upon his release, Eichorn is required to stay at a halfway house once a bed becomes available and will be monitored via GPS. Reports indicate that he had been communicating online with someone he believed was underage for about a week before the planned encounter. However, he quickly learned that the individual was actually an undercover agent.

Eichorn's initial release followed a court appearance; however, prosecutors later sought a new detention hearing after alleging that he asked his wife to relocate a laptop from their apartment prior to law enforcement's arrival. FBI agents had arrived at the scene first, preventing her from taking the laptop, which Eichorn's legal team claimed was linked to their real estate business.

Furthermore, authorities discovered a factory-reset cellphone and a firearm in Eichorn's apartment. He allegedly denied owning the gun when questioned by a probation officer. Eichorn's attorneys defended his possession of the weapon, stating it was meant for protection against threats related to recent legislation he proposed which defined "Trump derangement syndrome" as a mental illness in Minnesota.

In addition to these legal troubles, Eichorn's wife filed for divorce earlier this week. As of now, Eichorn has not commented on the charges when approached for a statement.