A former caseworker for the New Jersey Department of Children and Family Services, Division of Child Protection and Permanency, admitted possessing and transporting child pornography, 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, to an indictment charging him with one count of possession of child pornography and one count of transportation of child pornography.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On Sept. 28, 2021, Collier arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport aboard a flight from the Dominican Republic. Law enforcement officers searched Collier’s cellular phone and identified at least two images of child sexual abuse. In a statement to law enforcement, Collier admitted that he had previously sent child pornography to at least one other individual using his cellular phone and that that individual also sent child pornography to Collier’s cellular phone. A further search of Collier’s cellular phone uncovered multiple additional images of child sexual abuse, including images depicting the sexual exploitation of toddlers.

The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. The charge of transportation of child pornography 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 Oct. 10, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker; and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, under the direction of Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, with the investigation. He also thanked the New Jersey State Police.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren D. Kober of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.

24-186

Defense counsel: Carol Dominguez Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark