By George P. Hassett

Vice cops investigating a prostitution operation at a School Street home got a surprise Tuesday, Aug. 26.

The suspect, who advertised her sexual services as a female named Giselle, was actually a 38-year-old man dressed as a woman, according to police.

“The implication was this was a female. But it was actually a male who had the outward physical appearance of a female,” said Police Captain Paul Upton.

Vice unit cops found an advertisement offering sex for cash in Somerville and called the number listed in the ad, police said. Detective James Hyde, posing as a potential customer, spoke with “Giselle” who quoted him a price of $200 for an hour of sexual services and led him to 251 School St., police said. “Giselle” who was, in fact, Walther Veravardas, greeted Hyde at the door and led him to a room detectives said was specifically furnished for the sex trade, police said. Hyde paid Veravardas $200 and received specific instructions from the cross dressing prostitute, police said. But before the transaction could be completed, Hyde notified an arrest team that put Veravardas in cuffs.

Detectives allegedly found 268 condoms in the room and took pictures of the used condoms they found in the trash. Veravardas was arrested and charged with sexual conduct for a fee.