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Steven Beisher, 42, of Philadelphia, admitted today to blackmailing and extorting $1,950 from a NJ man who responded to an online ad for sex with a naked photo of himself, state authorities said.

(N.J. Attorney General's Office/Screenshot of craigslist.org)

TRENTON — A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty today to blackmailing a New Jersey man who responded to a Craigslist advertisement for sex, the state Attorney General's Office said.

Steven Beisher, 42, admitted in state Superior Court in Burlington County that he extorted $1,950 from his victim, who in August 2012 responded to an ad posted by Beisher on the classifieds website seeking sex with other men. In the response, authorities said, the victim included a naked photo of himself.

Beisher then found the victim's telephone 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. The victim met Beisher seven times over the course of nine days, making payments from $200 to $400, authorities said.

The victim eventually refused to meet with Beisher and contacted the State Police.

As part of the plea bargain, Beisher admitted to extortion and the state will recommend he be sentenced to five years in prison. Sentencing was scheduled for July 11. Beisher has eight prior felony convictions in Pennsylvania, including five burglary convictions and two convictions for receiving stolen property, authorities said.

Most recently, he was convicted of theft by extortion in 2012.

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