HOWELL – The New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice has charged Richard Conte, 47, who is a sergeant in the Howell Police Department, with second degree attempted luring or enticing of a child.
Conte allegedly communicated using social media with an individual he believed to be a 15-year-old girl, requesting that she meet him for sexual activity. The “girl” was in fact an undercover detective, said Peter Aseltine, a spokesman with the state Attorney General’s Office.
Conte was arrested on Sept. 6 by officers of the Toms River Police Department in Seaside. He is being prosecuted by the the Division of Criminal Justice. Aseltine said Conte is being held in the Ocean County Jail, Toms River, pending a detention hearing.
Conte was not on duty at the time of his arrest, according to Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick.
In a message to the community, Kudrick said Conte was charged with “the heinous crime of attempting to lure after arriving to meet with a girl who he believed was 15 years old. It was actually an undercover officer.
“It sickened me to learn one of my officers, a highly competent supervisor … and one I have worked alongside with for many years on the SWAT team, not only defied my trust, but fellow officers as well.
“But most importantly, defied the public’s trust and expectations of a police officer. As such, I fully supported the investigation and provided input to ensure his apprehension,” Kudrick said.
The chief said Conte has been suspended from his position on the police force without pay.
“The charges, along with my firsthand knowledge of the investigation, led me to recommend an immediate suspension without pay. This was supported by the township manager and labor counsel,” Kudrick said.
“I offer my sincere apology to the community we value and respect so deeply. Our department’s reputation has been tarnished. … We got hit hard and knocked down, but we are back on our feet and promise to be stronger. We are committed to community,” the chief said.
Kudrick said an investigation has been launched to determine if Conte acted inappropriately while he was on duty.