Richard Decker Bio
Richard Decker is a 31-year-old Vernon, New Jersey man who was arrested on October 3, 2019 and is facing 22 indictable offenses in addition to several disorderly person offenses. He allegedly sent several emails and letters to local farms and stables requesting to have sex with their farm animals. When he was rejected he allegedly began harassing the residents and leaving metal tire deflation devices in their driveways. Authorities say the incidents date back to August 2018 and continued through the beginning of October of this year.
Richard Decker Asked To Have Sex With Animals
In August 2018 it is alleged that Decker would contact Sussex County farms, horse stables and horse boarding facilities via email or by letter requesting to have a sexual relationship with their animals specifically their cows and/or horses.
It is reported that when Decker was rejected he would leave harassing messages with the property owners, leave negative reviews of the facility online and leave handmade metal tire deflation devices on the property, specifically in the driveway.
Richard Decker Arrest
Decker was arrested on October 3, 2019 after authorities obtained a search warrant of the home Decker shares with his mother and brother in Vernon. The authorities found several destructive devices in Decker’s bedroom along with homemade metal tire deflation spikes. They also found several of the homemade metal tire deflation spikes.
The devices found in his bedroom included; two arrows with attached explosives and flash powder – which could contain a variety of compositions including potassium and aluminum – along with ferric oxide and magnesium. The powders are used in explosives. He also had manufactured a .22-caliber firearm without being registered or licensed to do so.
In January Vernon Township police asked the residents to report any suspicious activity after several vehicle tires were punctured with homemade spiked metal devices. Police said at the time several residents reported running over the devices in the entrances of their driveways or farm roads. One social media user from Vernon said his family had fallen victim to six flat tires within a month and another found a “row” of the devices across their Vernon driveway.
Richard Decker Charges
Richard charges include; Second-degree possession of explosives, second-degree possession of a destructive device to use unlawfully, fourth-degree procuring an animal in any kind of sexual manner or initiate any sexual conduct with an animal, fourth-degree threatening to commit aggravated assault and fourth-degree knowingly manufacturing firearms. He is also facing several charges related to cyber harassment.
On October 9, 2019 Decker appeared in state Superior Court in front of Judge N. Peter Conforti after the state, represented by Assistant Prosecutor Magdelen Czykier, filed a motion to detain him pending the disposition of his case. The judge said he was “clearly convinced” that Decker should be detained, stating that he was “not certain” there was any release conditions that would “ensure the safety of the public.”
Decker’s attorney Daniel Palazzo, argued for his client’s release on conditions, stating that Decker has no prior criminal history, has a full-time job in Franklin Lakes waiting for him and is “not facing any violent charges.” While he said Decker admitted to authorities he sent letters and emails to local farm owners, Palazzo argued that it was not immediately clear if Decker’s firearm “was even operable.”
Palazzo argued that his client had no contact with anyone directly and claimed that the explosives were basically firecrackers. “He never had contact with anyone directly and the explosives were basically firecrackers. They were stored in jars with no intent to use against anyone.”
He is expected to return to court on November 4.