ICE investigation results in former child, family services caseworker sentenced to prison for sexually abusing children

NEWARK, N.J. — A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation led to the sentencing of a former New Jersey Department of Children and Family Services, Division of Child Protection and Permanency caseworker for the transportation and possession of child sexual abuse material.

Trent Collier, 58, of Kearny, New Jersey, was sentenced May 22 at the U.S. District Court in Newark to 109 months for one count of possession of child pornography and one count for the transportation of child pornography. He pleaded guilty to these charges on May 21, 2024, following his August 2022 indictment.

“Collier’s sentencing shows the strength and resolve of HSI and our law enforcement partners in the State of New Jersey to pursue justice and uphold our commitment to protect children,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “We’ve sworn an oath to protect those who, unfortunately, have been victimized by perpetrators like Collier who served in positions of trust. Instead of caring for New Jersey children, he sexually exploited them for his own perverse pleasure.”

According to the investigation, on or about Sept. 28, 2021, Collier arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport aboard a flight from the Dominican Republic. Upon his arrival, law enforcement searched Collier’s cellular phone and identified at least two images of child sexual abuse material. In a statement to law enforcement, Collier admitted that he had previously sent child sexual abuse material to at least one other individual via cell phone and that individual sent child sexual abuse material to Collier. A further search of Collier’s cell phone uncovered multiple additional videos of child sexual abuse material, including videos depicting the sexual exploitation of toddlers.

Collier’s federal sentence will run consecutively to any future state sentencing. He has been remanded to the custody of the State of New Jersey since May 2024.

HSI Newark also assisted the New Jersey State Police in garnering state charges against Collier in a seven-count indictment with sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, attempted aggravated sexual assault, and official misconduct, based on Collier’s alleged sexually abusive conduct toward the two minor victims. Those charges were announced by the Division of Criminal Justice and NJSP Oct. 3, 2024.

According to the New Jersey State Attorney General, the investigation by HSI Newark and NJSP revealed that Collier had sexually abused two minors. The first victim was allegedly sexually assaulted while Collier served as the DCPP caseworker for the victim’s family. Collier allegedly verbally and physically threatened the victim that they would be removed from their family if they disclosed the abuse. Several instances of the alleged abuse occurred inside a DCPP office as well as a DCPP vehicle. As to the second victim, it is alleged that Collier leveraged his position as a DCPP caseworker to facilitate the sexual abuse, including use of his DCPP vehicle to facilitate an assault. It is also alleged that Collier offered financial incentives to the second victim to thwart disclosure.

The state charges and allegations are merely accusations, and they do not constitute proof of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

In addition to the federal prison term, Collier was sentenced to five years of supervised release.

HSI is at the forefront of the U.S. government’s efforts to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse through its investigations, victim assistance programs, intelligence and analysis, policy development, and training and awareness programs.

For any child, parent, guardian of New Jersey, searching for resources and information on how to prevent and combat online child sexual exploitation, go to Know2Protect.gov. If you suspect a child might be a victim, please call the ICE Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423.