A former Egg Harbor Township High School diving coach who admitted to possessing and distributing child pornography was sentenced to five years in prison Friday.
"I hate the man I used to be," Balesteri told Judge Sarabeth Johnson at his sentencing.
He said "he had a fetish for that kind of thing" and also admitted that he “rubbed up against some females of that age,” Halayko said.
"I’ve taken my therapy very seriously and faced this head on," Balesteri told the judge Friday. "I realize this is going to be a lifelong thing for me that keeps me in check. ... That way I don’t have the anxieties anymore that led to my original behavior."
An evaluation by a doctor at the Avenel Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center found Balesteri's behavior is "repetitive and compulsive."
Balesteri has been free since his detention hearing.
In that time, he got married and has a 3-month-old child, defense attorney Tina Islam told the judge.
His wedding was May 4, 2019, according to the couple's page on The Knot, which says the two met at a graduation party for one of Balesteri's students. The wife works at a private school in Egg Harbor Township, according to her Facebook page.
Islam argued for a suspended sentence, saying her client was extremely remorseful and was serious about working on his issues, which he has done while out of custody.
He also recently got a promotion at the landscaping business where he works.
But the judge said that the plea deal was fair and in the interest of justice.
Balesteri must serve all five years of his sentence at Avenel, a prison for sexual offenders in Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County.
Upon his release, he will have parole supervision for life and have to register as a Megan's Law offender. He also had to relinquish any future public employment.
Balesteri was not visible during the livestream of his sentencing in court.
