By: Richard L. Smith
A former caseworker for the New Jersey Department of Children and Family Services, Division of Child Protection and Permanency, has admitted to possessing and transporting explicit images of minors, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Trent Collier, 57, of Kearny, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court on May 21, 2024.
Collier was charged with one count of possession of explicit images of minors and one count of transportation of explicit images of minors.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Collier arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport on September 28, 2021, aboard a flight from the Dominican Republic.
Law enforcement officers searched Collier’s cellular phone and identified at least two images of sexual abuse of minors.
Collier admitted in a statement to law enforcement that he had previously sent explicit images of minors to at least one other individual using his phone.
Additionally, this individual had also sent explicit images of minors to Collier’s phone.
A further search uncovered multiple additional images of sexual abuse of minors, including images depicting the sexual exploitation of toddlers.
The charge of possession of explicit images of minors carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, while the charge of transportation of explicit images of minors carries a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Each count also carries a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 10, 2024.