Polk County, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) – On May 29, 2025, Qianli Chu, a 50-year-old chemistry professor at the University of North Dakota, was arrested in Crookston, Minnesota, as part of an undercover sex sting operation conducted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigations Task Force.
The operation involved law enforcement officers posing as a 16-year-old girl named “Amber” on websites commonly used for soliciting commercial sex. Chu responded to the advertisement and engaged in explicit text conversations, during which he agreed to meet “Amber” for sexual activities, despite being informed of her age.
Upon arriving at the designated location in Crookston, Chu was met by undercover officers and taken into custody. A search of his person revealed $599 in cash, condoms, and the cell phone used in the communications with “Amber.”
Chu has been charged with felony prostitution involving a person he believed to be under 18 but at least 16 years old. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
The University of North Dakota has not released a statement regarding Chu’s employment status following the arrest.
Did you know? With case facts:
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Date of Offense: May 29, 2025
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Location: Crookston, Polk County, Minnesota
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Defendant: Qianli Chu, DOB: 01/10/1975
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Occupation: Professor of Chemistry at the University of North Dakota
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Charge: Felony prostitution involving a person believed to be under 18 but at least 16
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Statute: Minnesota Statute 609.324.1(c)(3)
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Maximum Penalty: 5 years in prison, $10,000 fine, or both
For more updates on this case and other local news, visit TRF News.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.