A former case manager with the Division of Child Protection and Permanency was sentenced to prison for possession and transporting child sexual abuse material, officials with the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Trent Collier, 58, of Kearny was sentenced to nine years in prison after previously pleading guilty to one count of possession and one count of transporting child sexual abuse material, authorities said.
Caught at the Airport
Authorities met Collier at Newark Liberty International Airport on Sept. 28, 2021, after he returned from the Dominican Republic and searched his cell phone, authorities said. Investigators found at least two images of child sexual abuse material on the phone and Collier later admitted that he sent child sexual abuse material to at least one other person using the phone, officials said. Collier told authorities that the person also sent child sexual abuse material to him as well, officials said. Authorities found multiple videos of child sexual abuse material on Collier’s phone after a more thorough search, including videos showing the sexual exploitation of toddlers, officials said.
Accusations and Sentence
In an indictment from 2022, Collier was accused of trying to “recruit, entice, harbor, transport (and) solicit” a child for the purpose of commercial sex in the U.S. Authorities said Collier tried to recruit the child from June 19 to Sept. 29, 2021. In addition to his prison sentence, Collier must also serve five years of supervised release, authorities said. An attorney for Collier did not immediately return a request for comment.
Not really sure why this matters, but it seems like Collier got caught up in some really awful stuff. Maybe it’s just me, but it’s hard to understand how someone could do something so terrible. The fact that he was a case manager with a job meant to protect children makes it even more disturbing. Hopefully, the sentence he received will serve as a warning to others who might be thinking of engaging in similar activities.
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Not really sure why this matters, but it’s always important to be aware of the consequences of illegal activities. Maybe it’s just me, but it’s a good reminder to stay on the right side of the law. Let’s hope that justice is served in cases like this one, and that children are protected from harm.
Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com.
