LYNN – A Lynn woman allegedly working as an escort through the Web site “Back Page” was busted Monday night outside her home.Muriel Irene Close, 31, of 12 Shepherd St., #3, was charged with sexual conduct for a fee and arraigned at Lynn District Court by Judge Albert Conlon. She was released on personal recognizance and is due back in court for a pre-trial hearing on Dec. 13, according to court records.Members of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of the Lynn Police found an advertisement for a Lynn escort on an Internet Web site similar to that of Craigslist, called “Back Page.”The advertisement was listed under escorts in the adult section of the site and included a picture of a woman’s chest and a phone number.In addition, the advertisement instructed the caller to ask for Ashley, later identified as Close, and indicated that the picture was authentic.A detective called the number and spoke to a woman who said her name was Ashley and allegedly said she could either come to him or that she could do a “car date,” according to court records.Having agreed on the car date, Close also asked if the detective preferred a half hour or a full hour and said the price for a half hour would be $100, but the final cost was bargained down to $75.Close said for him to meet her at her house on Shepherd Street, where Close allegedly asked over the phone if the detective was with the police, which he assured her that he was not.After filling in the surveillance team about the details, the detective called Close a third time, saying he was in front of her house and she came outside and got in his car. While asking a second time if he was a cop, two other detectives walked over to the car and placed Close under arrest.During her booking, police say Close had a cellular phone and condoms on her.
