Wildwood police Sgt. David Romeo will be sentenced April 16 on a second-degree charge of official misconduct.

Romeo was found guilty Monday morning by a jury; the charges stemmed from an incident in which he kicked two handcuffed suspects on the ground.

Romeo, 39,  remains free on bail until his sentence date. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.

Romeo’s father Dominic, a retired Wildwood police officer, comforted Romeo’s mother, Beverly, taking her outside the courtroom.

Assistant Cape May County Prosecutor Matthew D. Weintraub credited the jury with paying close attention throughout the trial. Most took notes each day.

“I don’t think that jury missed a thing,” he said.

Weintraub added he was not surprised by the verdict because “I thought all the evidence was there to convict.”

He added, “I take no satisfaction in prosecuting a cop, but if a police officer breaks the law he’s got to be held accountable.”

Romeo and defense attorney John Tumelty left the courtroom today without comment.

There was stunned silence among family and friends of Romeo as a jury announced this morning they’d found him guilty of kicking two handcuffed suspects.

Jurors reached a verdict at 10:20 a.m., finding Romeo guilty of official misconduct. Deliberations had begun Friday, and the jury had just returned around 9 a.m. Monday to resume its work.

Romeo was charged with official misconduct, a second-degree crime, for kicking two handcuffed car burglary suspects in the head in a North Wildwood parking lot on July 24, 2007.