Dude Sent to Prison for Blackmailing Victim Who Responded to Craigslist Ad for Homosexual Sex

TRENTON – Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced that a Philadelphia man was sentenced to state prison in New Jersey today for blackmailing a man who responded to his Craigslist advertisement soliciting homosexual sex.

Steven J. Beisher, 43, of Philadelphia, was sentenced to five years in state prison by Superior Court Judge Jeanne T. Covert in Burlington County, N.J. He also was ordered to pay restitution to the victim. Beisher pleaded guilty on March 17 to an accusation charging him with second-degree theft by extortion. In pleading guilty, Beisher admitted that he extorted a total of $1,950 from the victim, who is a New Jersey resident.