Crime & Safety

Philadelphia Man Admits to Blackmailing Man Who Answered Homsexual Sex Ad

Steven J. Beisher pleaded guilty to blackmailing a New Jersey man who answered his solicitation for homosexual sex.

A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty to blackmailing a New Jersey man who responded to his Craigslist advertisement soliciting homosexual sex, Acting New Jersey Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced Monday afternoon.

Steven J. Beisher, 42, pleaded guilty to an accusation charging him with second-degree theft by extortion in a Burlington County Superior Court. Beisher admitted he blackmailed the victim for a total of $1,950.

An investigation conducted by the New Jersey State Police determined that Beisher posted a personal ad on Craigslist soliciting homosexual sex. The victim responded to the ad and sent Beisher a nude photo of himself. After finding the victim’s address and phone number, Beisher called the victim’s home and threatened to expose him to his wife and family unless the victim gave him money.

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He repeatedly called the victim and demanded him to meet him at multiple locations in Philadelphia for payment. They met seven times in nine days, and each time the victim gave Beisher between $200 and $400. The victim gave him a total of $1,950 before he refused to meet him again and reported him to New Jersey State Police.

Beisher has eight prior felony convictions in Pennsylvania, including five burglary convictions and two convictions for receiving stolen property. He was most recently convicted of theft by extortion in Pennsylvania in 2012.

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The state will recommend Beisher be sentenced to five years in prison.


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