Former State Trooper, 32, From Brick Admits Attempted Sex Meetup With Teen Girl in Police Car

Shane H. Dempsey (Facebook Photo)

A 32-year-old former New Jersey state trooper from Brick has admitted to allegations that he showed up to meet who he believed was a 14-year-old girl for sex – in his police vehicle.

According to a statement issued Tuesday by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Shane H. Dempsey, 32, of Brick, pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted sexual Assault and third-degree official misconduct. According to prosecutors, an investigation into the matter was initiated last year by a prosecutor’s office detective acting in an undercover capacity on the social media app Whisper.

While monitoring the app, the detective was contacted by another user, later identified as Dempsey, who attempted to solicit sexually explicit images and “expressed a desire to pay money in exchange for a sex act from a person he believed to be a 14-year-old female.” Dempsey arrived for a purported meeting with the juvenile in his police-issued troop car. He was subsequently taken into custody.

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During last week’s hearing, Superior Court Judge Henry Butehorn executed an order forfeiting Dempsey’s public position and barring him from future public employment in New Jersey for life. Sentencing in the case has been tentatively scheduled for Friday, Nov. 21, at which time the state intends to recommend a term of seven years in state prison, including two years of parole ineligibility, as well as registration as a sex offender under Megan’s Law and parole supervision for life.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Competello of the MCPO High Tech Bureau. Dempsey is being represented by defense attorney Thomas Huth.