Westborough Man Arrested in Prostitution Sting

By Mike Carraggi (Patch staff)

WESTBOROUGH, BOSTON, MA - A Northeastern University professor was among five men arraigned Friday in a prostitution sting in Back Bay, officials said.

The men, and two more to be arraigned at a later date, were arrested Thursday at the Back Bay Hilton Hotel, Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office said in a statement.

Harvey Shapiro, 63, of Needham, teaches curriculum design and assessment, according to his bio on the university’s website.

Christopher Otero, 24, of Revere, Robert Smith, 74, of Back Bay, Joshua Sternstein, 33, of Boston, and Brad Watkins, 40, of Dorchester, were also arrested on charges of seeking to engage in sex for a fee.

A 38-year-old Andover man and a 37-year-old Westborough man were also arrested and appeared in court on Friday. They will be arraigned at a later date.

The defendants allegedly showed up ready to pay for sex after responding to an online advertisement posted by detectives assigned to the Boston Police Human Trafficking Unit.

Northeastern released a statement, saying the university will “evaluate the entire set of circumstances around the allegations involving Mr. Shapiro and decide on the appropriate personnel action in accordance with our policies.”

Photo via Shutterstock