August 18, 2015
A pair of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, residents were sentenced to prison Tuesday for producing child pornography.
Burton Gersh, 69, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond to 60 months in prison. Les Sidweber, 73, received a 48-month prison sentence; each pleaded guilty on May 19.
Gersh and Sidweber transported two girls, ages 16 and 17, from the Philadelphia region on multiple occasions to their homes, where Sidweber photographed the juveniles engaging in sexually explicit conduct at Gersh's urging, according to court documents.
The 17-year-old victim was an orphan living in the Philadelphia foster care system, according to court documents. She was approached by a man who recruited her to Gersh's home to take photographs to kickstart a modeling career. She brought along the 16-year-old, a friend she knew from foster care. The girls were given alcohol and promised a modeling career if they posed for a photo shoot.
Gersh also must serve seven years of supervised release, pay a $150,000 fine and a $200 special assessment. Sidweber must serve five years of supervised release, pay a $50,000 fine and a $200 special assessment.
The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Cherry Hill Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Morgan.
