A former employee of New Jersey’s child welfare system was sentenced to over nine years in federal prison after an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement revealed he transported and possessed child sexual abuse material.

Trent Collier, 58, of Kearny, New Jersey, received a 109-month sentence on May 22 in U.S. District Court in Newark. The sentence includes one count of possession and one count of transportation of child pornography. He had pleaded guilty to the charges a day earlier, following his August 2022 indictment, reports ICE.

“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 (HSI) 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.”

Collier, who worked for the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP), came under investigation after returning to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic on September 28, 2021. Law enforcement officials searched his phone at Newark Liberty International Airport and discovered two images of child sexual abuse material. He admitted to sharing such material with at least one other person, who also shared similar material with him. Further examination of his phone uncovered multiple videos, including content involving toddlers.

In addition to the federal sentence, Collier will serve five years of supervised release. His prison term will run consecutively to any state sentence that may be imposed in connection with additional charges filed by New Jersey authorities.

In a separate state-level case, Collier faces a seven-count indictment including charges of sexual assault, attempted aggravated sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, and official misconduct. The charges stem from alleged abuse of two minors and were announced by the New Jersey State Police and Division of Criminal Justice on October 3, 2024.

Investigators allege that Collier sexually abused one victim while working as a DCPP caseworker for that child’s family. He is accused of threatening the child with family separation if they disclosed the abuse. Some of the alleged incidents reportedly occurred inside DCPP facilities and in a DCPP vehicle. For the second victim, authorities claim Collier used his position to facilitate the abuse and offered money to prevent disclosure.

HSI Newark supported state law enforcement in filing the charges. Collier has been in state custody since May 2024.

Authorities stress that the state charges remain allegations, and Collier is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

HSI continues to lead federal efforts in investigating and combating online child exploitation through its investigative operations, partnerships, victim support programs, and public awareness initiatives.