Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), and the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) have announced the indictment of a former Department of Children and Family Services caseworker for alleged sexual abuse involving two minors.
NEW JERSEY – Trent L. Collier, 58, formerly of Newark, New Jersey, and now residing in Savannah, Georgia, has been charged in a seven-count indictment that includes sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, attempted aggravated sexual assault, and official misconduct. These charges stem from Collier’s alleged abusive conduct toward two minors.
The NJSP Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations, conducted an investigation that led to the charges. The first victim was allegedly sexually assaulted while Collier was the assigned caseworker for the family. Authorities claim that Collier threatened the victim with removal from their family to prevent disclosure of the abuse. The abuse allegedly occurred both inside a Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) office and a DCPP vehicle. Regarding the second victim, Collier allegedly used his position to facilitate the abuse, including using his DCPP vehicle to commit an assault. He also reportedly offered financial incentives to prevent the victim from reporting the abuse.