Ex-Rider Prof Pleads Guilty In Sex Sting

A former Rider University professor has pleaded guilty to sex charges stemming from a mother-daughter online sting.

Prosecutors say 65-year-old Austin Winther, of Philadelphia, tried to lure a supposed Idaho woman and her 13-year-old daughter to travel to Pennsylvania for a sexual tryst. They say he also tried to send the daughter obscene images.

The mother and daughter were actually undercover police officers.

Federal prosecutors say Winther entered a plea Monday to an interstate sex charge and four obscenity counts. He faces six-and-a-half to eight years in prison under federal guidelines.

He remains in custody pending his April 13 sentencing. A defense lawyer did not immediately return a call for comment.

Winther taught at Rider's Graduate School of Education in Lawrenceville from 2005 until late 2009.
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