Man accused in online prostitution case

A Mission Hill man was arraigned yesterday on charges he was running an Internet-based sex-for-money service from his apartment, authorities said.

Sean Halloran, 23, offered a massage and sexual favors to a male undercover police officer, leading to his arrest on Thursday, authorities said.

At his arraignment yesterday in West Roxbury District Court, Halloran was charged with offering sexual conduct for a fee, unlicensed operation of a massage business, and keeping a disorderly house. The latter charge is often used in prostitution cases.

He was released on personal recognizance.

Melissa Boyajian, his roommate, said she was not aware of any illicit activity in their first-floor apartment. She said Halloran was unavailable.

Halloran came to authorities' attention after allegedly making threats against an employee of the realty company that runs the building. Boston police then discovered a posting by Halloran on Craigslist, the online classified site, in which he offered "a massage and implied sexual act for a monetary fee," said Jake Wark, a spokesman for Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley.

The fee was $125, and the ad was posted in the section of the website geared toward homosexuals, Wark said .

Councilor Michael P. Ross, who lives in Mission Hill, said the arrest, coupled with the arrest two weeks ago of an infamous graffiti artist in the neighborhood, was important for the community.

"These are destabilizing events. . . . This is not what you want in your neighborhood," said Ross. "This is atypical of the community."

Wark said prostitution arrests were more common in Allston, Brighton, and East Boston.

One neighbor seemed surprised but unfazed.

"It doesn't bother me, but it is very shocking," said Rob Fox. "I never suspected something like that, especially walking by here every day."