A Minnesota State senator has resigned after he was charged with soliciting sex from a minor.
Republican Justin Eichorn, 40, was facing pressure from his own party to quit after his arrest in a sting operation this week.
"I am resigning my seat in the Minnesota Senate for District 6 effective immediately," he wrote in a letter to Governor Tim Walz (D). "I must focus on personal matters at this time. It has been an honor to serve in the Minnesota Senate."
The married father of four was caught trying to buy sex from an undercover police detective who he thought was a 17-year-old girl.
Eichorn was facing state charges initially, but they were dismissed after the feds brought charges for attempted coercion or enticement of a minor, a felony.
Eichorn had little choice but to resign, with Republicans threatening to join Democrats to expel him if he didn't step aside.
"There is no question that these charges merit expulsion. We owe it to the public to hold our members to the highest standards, and this violation of the public trust is so severe we must act. It is my hope that this quick resolution gives Senator Eichorn time to focus on his family," a statement from Republican Leader Mark Johnson on Wednesday night said.
In a criminal complaint this week, the DOJ said Eichorn responded to a fake advertisement selling commercial sex. The 40-year-old inquired about availability and the pricing for different sex acts, including how much it would cost for sex without a condom.
“I saw your post and (sic) chance you are still available tonight?” he wrote in one message. “What’s a guy gota do to get with the hottest girl online tonight," he wrote in another.
He continued to arrange a meet-up despite being told that he was chatting with a 17-year-old girl.
When he showed up to the designated location on Monday, police arrested him and found cash and condoms in his car.
His resignation could impact the balance of power in Minnesota's closely divided legislature, with Democrats now enjoying a two-vote majority in the Senate.
There will be a special election to fill his seat next month.
Eichhorn had his first court appearance on Thursday, where he pled not guilty.
He is barred from unsupervised contact with children and will be required to surrender his passport and wear an ankle monitor.
