Woman Promoted Prostitution At Portsmouth Hotel: Police

PORTSMOUTH, NH — Police have arrested a New York woman charged with promoting prostitution at a Portsmouth hotel. Jianhui Li, 38, of Flushing, New York, was arrested on the misdemeanor charge on Friday. She is scheduled to appear for arraignment in August.

Police say they began investigating Li while working on a Granite Shield operation, which targets possession and distribution of illegal narcotics. The during the operation, officers became aware of possible criminal activity at a Portsmouth hotel, police say. Although police have not released the name of the hotel, the Portsmouth police log from that day states it was at Motel 6 on Gosling Road. An officer was staying at the motel to monitor the suspected room. The case involved a male customer who was pulled over by police for a traffic violation on Market Street before being questioned in connection to the prostitution investigation.

After Friday's arrest on the promoting prostitution charge, Li was released on bail. The Class A misdemeanor carries a maximum possible penalty of one year in jail plus fines. Li's arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 12 at Portsmouth District Court.

The Portsmouth police encourage anyone with information about illegal activity related to this case to contact them at 603-427-1500 or make an anonymous tip through Seacoast Crime Stoppers at 603-431-1199.