Sept. 3, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Erik Contes, 43, of Whitehall Township was found guilty today by a jury on all charges related to a 2024 rape and kidnapping, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan said today.
Contes faces 26 to 52 years in prison, Holihan said in a press release. He will be sentenced Dec. 7 by Judge Robert L. Steinberg.
A South Whitehall Township officer was on patrol in the area of Wehr Mill and Old Sentry roads when he saw a car parked in the grass on the side of the road, according to the statement from Holihan.
“The officer said the driver, identified as Contes, said he had pulled over because a female passenger was vomiting inside the vehicle,” the statement today said.
The victim, a woman whose name was not released, was intoxicated after being at a bar with Contes and others. She needed medical help. A paramedic responded and “noted that Contes’ zipper was down and the officer’s body camera confirmed that,” the press release says.
Here’s the statement from District Attorney Holihan:
Sept. 3, 2026
District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announces a man charged in a South Whitehall Township rape and kidnapping case has been convicted by a jury of all charges.
Erik Contes, DOB 1/18/1983, of Whitehall Township, was charged last year with Rape and Kidnapping to Facilitate a Felony and Sexual Assault, all felonies; and a misdemeanor count of Indecent Assault.
The jury trial began Sept. 1, 2026 before Judge Robert L. Steinberg. The jury returned their verdict today after several hours of deliberating.
Contes faces a possible sentence of 26 to 52 years in prison. Contes will also be evaluated to determine if he meets the legal criteria to be deemed a sexually violent predator.
Contes’ sentencing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Dec. 7 before Judge Steinberg, who increased Contes’ bail to $150,000.
Just after 2:30 a.m. on June 2, 2024, a South Whitehall Township officer was on routine patrol in the area of Wehr Mill and Old Sentry roads when he saw a car parked in the grass on the side of the road.
The road is a residential area with minimal foot and vehicle traffic.
The officer said the driver, identified as Contes, said he had pulled over because a female passenger was vomiting inside the vehicle.
The victim, whose name will not be released, said she was with Contes and several other people at a bar. Contes said he offered to drive the woman home, but she had “fallen out” of his vehicle and he was trying to get her back inside the car.
The officer noted the victim was highly intoxicated and needed medical attention. A paramedic noted that Contes’ zipper was down and the officer’s body camera confirmed that.
Officers spoke with a witness who was at the bar and she told investigators that the victim’s home was not in the direction where the car had stopped. Police say the car was stopped more than 7 miles from the bar and the victim’s home was more than 4 miles away.
At the hospital, the victim could not recall the details of the incident and medical personnel noted she had abrasions on the body as well as grass and dirt inside of her clothing.
The investigation revealed that the victim had been raped and sexually assaulted and Contes’ DNA matched a profile obtained during an examination.
This case was investigated by South Whitehall Township Police Detective Tyler Doherty and prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Sara A. Moyer and Paralegal Rachel Bard.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 