Officer Arrested In Sex Sting Released For Trial: Report

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Howell Township police sergeant who was arrested last week after he allegedly tried to meet a teenage girl to have sex has been released to await trial in the case, according to a report.

The release of Richard C. Conte, 47, was opposed by the state Attorney General's office, Jersey Shore Online reported, but Superior Court Judge Rochelle Gizinski ordered him released, with some restrictions.

Under New Jersey's bail reform enacted in January 2017, there is no monetary bail and the decision on whether to hold someone in jail until trial is based on a number of factors, including whether or not they have a prior record.

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 and was a patrol sergeant on the midnight shift.

He is been suspended without pay from his job, Howell Police Chief Andrew J. Kudrick Jr. said; his salary is $140,000.

Conte was arrested after he arrived in Toms River to meet who he thought was a 15-year-old girl to have sex with her. The "girl" he had arranged to meet was an undercover detective, Kudrick said last week, when he issued an apology to the town over the arrest, "with tremendous sadness, disappointment, anger and embarrassment."

"Our department's reputation has been tarnished," Kudrick said. "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."

Read more on the detention hearing here.

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Richard C. Conte photo via Ocean County Corrections website