A former caseworker with the New Jersey Department of Children and Family Services has been sentenced to 109 months in prison for charges related to child pornography, as announced by U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.
Trent Collier, aged 58, from Kearny, New Jersey, admitted guilt before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to charges of possession and transportation of child pornography.
The case details reveal that on September 28, 2021, Collier arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport from the Dominican Republic. A search of his cellular phone by law enforcement uncovered at least two images of child pornography. Collier confessed to sending and receiving such material with another individual using his phone. Further investigation revealed multiple videos depicting the sexual exploitation of toddlers.
Judge Martinotti also imposed a five-year term of supervised release following Collier's prison sentence.
U.S. Attorney Habba acknowledged the contributions of special agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations under Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel in Newark, along with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General led by Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. The program involves federal, state, and local resources to apprehend offenders and rescue victims.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren D. Kober from Newark represented the government in this case.
Defense counsel was provided by Carol Dominguez, Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender in Newark.
