Polk County, MN (trfnews.i234.me) — Qianli Chu, a chemistry professor at the University of North Dakota, and Robert Lawrence Coulter, the mayor of Solway, Minnesota, have been charged with felony prostitution following a sex sting operation conducted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
According to court documents, a female officer posed as a 16-year-old on an online platform. Both Chu and Coulter allegedly agreed to pay for sexual acts with the undercover officer. Upon arriving at a predetermined location in Crookston, Minnesota, they were arrested.
Coulter is also listed as a Minnesota corrections agent in court records.
The charge—prostitution involving a person believed to be under 18 but at least 16—carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The University of North Dakota has not released a statement regarding Chu’s employment status.
Did you know? Case Facts:
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Qianli Chu: University of North Dakota chemistry professor
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Robert Lawrence Coulter: Mayor of Solway, Minnesota; listed as a Minnesota corrections agent
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Charges: Felony prostitution involving a person believed to be under 18 but at least 16
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Operation: Polk County sex sting with an undercover officer posing as a 16-year-old
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Location of Arrest: Crookston, Minnesota
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Maximum Sentence: 5 years in prison
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.