Philadelphia Man Pleads Guilty To Blackmailing Victim Who Responded To Craigslist Ad For Gay Sex
TRENTON, NJ (CBS) – A Philadelphia man has pleaded guilty to blackmailing a New Jersey man who responded to his Craigslist ad soliciting homosexual sex.
Steven J. Beisher, 42, pleaded guilty to extorting a total of $1,950 from the victim, who responded to his 2012 ad on Craigslist and sent Beisher a naked photo of himself.
Beisher found the victim's phone number and address and called him the following day, threatening to expose the victim to his wife and family if he did not pay Beisher money.
Beisher then called repeatedly to demand that the victim meet him at various locations around Philadelphia to make payments.
The victim met Beisher seven times over the course of nine days, making payments that ranged from $200 to $400.
Eventually, the victim reported Beisher to New Jersey State Police.
Beisher pleaded guilty on Monday to second-degree theft by extortion in Burlington County. Under a plea agreement, the state will recommend Beisher be sentenced to five years in state prison.