Police detective convicted in Lynn prostitution sting

PEABODY – A Boston Police detective faces a termination hearing after being convicted of trying to pick up a prostitute during an undercover sting by Lynn Police.An Essex District Court jury convicted Lysander Wright, 50, last Thursday of a single count of offering to pay for sex.Wright was arrested early in the morning of March 29, 2013, after a Lynn Police officer working as a decoy approached Wright’s car and offered $20 to perform a sex act.When other officers approached Wright’s car, they reported he told them, “If she said I offered her $20 ? she’s lying.” He then reportedly told police, “I’m on the job.” Police took a .40 caliber Glock handgun from Wright at arrest.The jury returned the verdict after a two-day trial in Peabody District Court.Judge James Barretto sentenced Wright to two years of straight probation and a $5,000 fine, according to court documents. A spokesperson for Boston Police said Wright was on administrative leave pending a termination hearing.In an incident report filed in court but not admitted as evidence during the trial, Lynn Police Officer Christopher Hagerty wrote that “within the past several months he has received information from a known prostitute alleging that a black police officer has picked her up in the downtown area, and drove to a location off Chatham Street, where she performed sex on him and she was told to get out of the car before he arrested her.”The report states that even though Wright agreed to pay the undercover officer $20 for the sex act, he only had $7 on him when he was booked.Wright has filed a notice of appeal, according to court documents. Wright’s defense attorney could not be reached for comment.