Former MN GOP lawmaker Eichorn among 9 charged in Bloomington minor prostitution stings

Bloomington PD operation 'I Can't Help Myself' [RAW]

Bloomington police chief Booker Hodges held a press conference Monday regarding the minor prostitution sting, called operation "I Can't Help Myself," that led to the arrest and charges of nine people, including former Minnesota Senator Justin Eichorn.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (FOX 9) - While former GOP lawmaker Justin Eichorn is the most high-profile arrest, criminal charges have been filed against eight other men who are accused of attempting to solicit a minor for commercial sex after being arrested during a sting operation in Bloomington.

Bloomington police underage prostitution sting

By the numbers:

Court documents show criminal charges have been filed against eight other men so far.

Bloomington police say a total of 14 men were arrested in the sting, which began on March 12. Eichorn was arrested on March 17 and first messaged an undercover officer multiple times in the days leading up to the arrest, charges say.

The other men charged are:

Mohamed Ahmed Hussein, 26, of Richfield
Forest Leandrew McElroy, 46, of Burnsville
Adam Lee Dawson, 39, of St. Bonifacius
Rolando Konah Barclay, 32, of Minneapolis
Anthony Steven Lee Mais, 31, of New Richmond, Wisconsin
David James Salmonsen, 56, of Hastings
Marawan Adel Taweeleh, 31, of Shakopee
Scott Gerard Kopetsky, 59, of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

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One day after being charged with soliciting an underage minor for sex, Justin Eichorn resigned from the Minnesota Senate. FOX 9’s Corin Hoggard has the latest developments.

All are facing a felony charge of prostitution with someone they "reasonably believe to be under 18 but at least 16", according to criminal complaints.

McElroy is also facing a drug possession charge after police say they found two bags of suspected cocaine in his possession.

Taweeleh is also charged with fleeing an officer in a motor vehicle after police say he fled in a pickup truck before being arrested near a parking ramp in Edina.

What's next:

MN senator charged in federal court

Minnesota Sen. Justin Eichorn, who was one of the sponsors of the "Trump derangement syndrome bill," faces state and federal charges after allegedly soliciting a minor for sex during a prostitution sting in Bloomington.

Bloomington police are set to share details on the operation during a news conference on Monday morning.

Eichorn's preliminary hearing in federal court is set for March 26.

Political fallout

Sen. Eichorn resigns after arrest: The fallout

The Minnesota senator accused of trying to solicit a teen girl has resigned on Thursday.

Local perspective:

Eichorn submitted a letter of resignation on Thursday, a day after Minnesota senators said they would expel him from the Senate.

In his resignation letter, Eichorn wrote: "I am resigning my seat in the Minnesota Senate for District 6 effective immediately. I must focus on personal matters at this time. It has been an honor to serve in the Minnesota Senate."