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Trent L. Collier, formerly of Newark and currently of Savannah, GA, has been charged 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, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said.
Earlier this year, Collier admitted to collecting child pornography, federal officials said.
The first victim was allegedly sexually assaulted while Collier served as the DCPP caseworker for the victim’s family, according to an investigation by the NJSP Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and Homeland Security Investigations. Collier allegedly verbally and physically threatened the victim that they would be removed from their family if they disclosed the abuse, Platkin said.
Several instances of the alleged abuse occurred inside a DCPP office as well as a DCPP vehicle, Platkin said.
Collier leveraged his position as a DCPP caseworker to facilitate the sexual abuse, including use of his DCPP vehicle to facilitate an assault on the second victim, authorities said. He also offered financial incentives to the second victim in an effort to thwart disclosure, Platkin added.
Collier was indicted on charges of sexual assault, attempted aggravated sexual assault, endangering the welfare of children by impairing or debauching the morals of a child, official misconduct, aggravated criminal sexual contact, and luring.
Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $15,000.
Collier is being detained pending trial.
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