Newport Police Serve Search Warrants In Commercial Sex Investigation - 05/05/26

On May 5, 2026, officers with the Newport Police Department served search warrants at Amazing Lotus Spa, located at 831 NE Avery Street in Newport, and at a residence in the 200 block of NE 8th Street.
 

The warrants were the result of an investigation that began in March 2026 after investigators learned the business was advertising on a well-known prostitution/adult escort website and alluding to commercial sex acts being offered at the spa.

During the investigation, officers conducted surveillance at the business and observed activity inconsistent with the normal business patterns of legitimate massage establishments. Based on the investigation, a search warrant was submitted and later authorized by the court.

During the execution of the search warrant at Amazing Lotus Spa, investigators located evidence indicating the business was providing massage services without the required massage therapist licensing.

At the NE 8th Street residence, investigators located large quantities of cash and additional evidence related to services allegedly being offered at the spa beyond unlicensed massage activity.

As a result of the investigation, Jia Hui, 63, and Bing Li, 67, both of Newport were arrested and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on charges of:

• Prostitution
• Practice of Massage Without a Massage Therapist License

Newport Officers were assisted by the Oregon Department of Justice, Lincoln City Police and Tillamook Police Department.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Newport Police Department at 541-574-5807, or text a tip to 541-270-1856.

Eugene Woman Arrested For Attempted Arson To Building Housing Government Services - 04/07/26

Incident: Attempted Arson in the First Degree

Location: 120 NE Avery Street 

Date/Time: April 6, 2026 @2325 hours

Details: On Monday April 6, 2026, Newport Police Officers were alerted to a woman who purchased gasoline at a nearby Circle K before pouring the gasoline on the Avery Building, located at 120 NE Avery Street. The Avery Building houses several governmental businesses, such as Oregon Department of Human Services, Community Services Consortium and WorkSource Oregon.

When Officers arrived on scene, they located 45-year-old Eugene resident Bridgette Sherman within a few feet of a 2-gallon gas can, the contents of which had been thrown onto the building and adjacent sidewalk. Next to the gas can was a cigarette that was completely saturated in spilled gasoline that had a burnt tip. The cigarette did not ignite the gasoline and the building, which was unoccupied at the time, was not damaged.

After Sherman was taken into custody, Officers learned she is an employee of the Oregon Department of Human Services. Sherman was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail for Attempted Arson in the first Degree.

The Newport Police Department was assisted by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Newport Fire Department.     

The incident remains under investigation. If you have any information regarding this case, contact Officer Jack Grippin of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net

Information Released By: Sgt Leake, 541-574-3348

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