Woodbury man pleads guilty to extorting teenage girls

A 38-year-old man from Woodbury has admitted to extorting minors in a federal court. Timothy Lennard Gebhart forced two teenage girls, aged 16 and 14, to produce sexually explicit videos. He used these videos to blackmail them and demanded money and other items. Gebhart coerced the girls between July 2021 and March 2022. He often pretended to be younger and used fake names to manipulate them. He threatened to share the explicit content with their family and friends if they did not comply. Court documents reveal that the two girls are part of a larger group of six victims identified by authorities. These victims are from various states, including Minnesota, Texas, and Indiana. However, some victims remain unidentified. In court, Gebhart pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including child pornography production and extortion. He faces at least 15 years in prison, although a sentencing date has not been set yet. Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick condemned the act of sextortion, emphasizing the need to protect children from these dangerous schemes.