Howell Officer, SWAT Team Leader Accused Of Luring: Police Chief

HOWELL, NJ — A Howell Township police sergeant and head of the Monmouth County SWAT team has been arrested on a charge of trying to lure a minor, Howell Police Chief Andrew J. Kudrick Jr. confirmed Friday.

Richard C. Conte, 47, was arrested Thursday night in Toms River as the result of an undercover operation, according to Kudrick and a report by NJ 101.5 FM.

Kudrick, who confirmed the arrest in a statement he posted to the Howell police department's Facebook page, said Conte was off-duty at the time, and believed he was meeting a 15-year-old girl.

Conte, who has been a police officer since 1991 and with Howell since 1997, has been the commander of the Monmouth County Emergency Response Team since 2009. He was promoted to sergeant in January 2017. He has been suspended without pay, Kudrick said. Conte, who was a patrol sergean on the midnight shift, received a salary of $140,000, NJ 101.5 reported.

Kudrick said he was made aware of the investigation prior to Conte's arrest, and had held off issuing a statement at the request of the other law enforcement agencies to not compromise the ongoing investigation.I

Investigators also are looking into whether Conte ever acted inappropriately while he was on duty.

"This includes pulling cellphone and computer usage, DMV access, and GPS activity on his patrol vehicle," Kudrick said. "As of this issuance, nothing has been revealed."

Kudrick said anyone with any suspicions or information pertaining to the investigation is urged to contact Howell Police Internal Affairs or the Professional Responsibilities Unit of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

The police chief also apologized to the community, saying, "I offer my sincere apology to the community that we value and respect so deeply. Our department’s reputation has been tarnished. I ask you not to judge us on the actions of one but rather on the outstanding service the remaining loyal officers provide with professionalism and pride every single day."

Conte is scheduled for a detention hearing on Wednesday, NJ 101.5 reported.

The full text of Kudrick's statement is below:

My Community,

I have been begrudgingly holding off releasing any information concerning this arrest at the request of the involved law enforcement agencies so not to compromise the ongoing investigation. However, Townsquare Media (NJ101.5) has irresponsibility done so without first consulting with me or others directly connected to the investigation.

I now issue this statement with tremendous sadness, disappointment, anger and embarrassment.

Last night, Howell police Sgt. Richard Conte was arrested while off-duty. 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.

Prior to the arrest, I was made aware of the situation. It sickened me to learn one of my officers, a highly competent supervisor none the less and one that 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.

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.

We are investigating whether he acted inappropriately while he was on duty. This includes pulling cellphone and computer usage, DMV access, and GPS activity on his patrol vehicle. He was assigned as a patrol sergeant on the Midnight Squad. As of this issuance, nothing has been revealed. If anyone has any suspicions or information pertaining to this investigation is urged to contact Howell Police Internal Affairs or the Professional Responsibilities Unit of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

I offer my sincere apology to the community that we value and respect so deeply. Our department’s reputation has been tarnished. I ask you not to judge us on the actions of one but rather on the outstanding service the remaining loyal officers provide with professionalism and pride every single day.

We got hit hard and knocked down but we are back on our feet and promise to be stronger. We are Committed to Community.

Chief Kudrick

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com

Follow us on Facebook. Click here to like our page.

Richard C. Conte photo via Ocean County Corrections website