A Kearny man who is a former caseworker for the New Jersey Department of Children and Family Services, Division of Child Protection and Permanency, admitted to possessing and transporting child pornography, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said on May 22.
Trent Collier, 57, of Kearny, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court on May 21 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 reportedly admitted he had previously sent child pornography to at least one other person using his mobile phone and this person also sent child pornography to Collier’s phone. A further search of Collier’s 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.
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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, a place where he has served on and off since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on Facebook Live, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to West Hudson to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.