Hobart Man Jailed on Federal Sex Abuse Charges - Public Criticism of 1 Bail

STAMFORD – A press release regarding the release of a former softball coach, town council member and local businessman on $1 bail last week evoked public outcry. The case, which remains under investigation, is now in the hands of federal authorities. Brent G. Trimbell, 44, of Hobart, is back in jail on federal charges of sexual exploitation of a child, according to a press release.

Trimbell was arrested Sunday evening and had his initial appearance Monday on a charge of sexual exploitation of a child. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

The complaint alleges that Trimbell exchanged sexually explicit messages with a female child
victim, including messages persuading her to create and send him videos of her engaged in
sexually explicit conduct. The child created the content Trimbell requested and sent it to him
over social media. The complaint also alleges that Trimbell had sexual contact with the victim on
at least three occasions and sent the victim videos depicting him masturbating.

If convicted of sexual exploitation of a child, Trimbell faces a maximum term of imprisonment
of 30 years and a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years, a term of supervised
release of at least five years and up to life, a fine of $250,000, forfeiture of property used to
commit the offense, and restitution to the victim. Trimbell also would be required to register as a
sex offender.
Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Trimbell was charged with serious state sex
offenses but was released on bail. Now, Trimbell is in federal custody—facing serious federal
offenses—which if convicted, will result in a mandatory term of imprisonment of 15 years.  This
is how we keep the children in our community safe.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “FBI Albany is incredibly thankful for
the swift coordination from our partners at the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and United
States Attorney’s Office that has now resulted in serious federal charges against  Trimbell.
The FBI, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to coordinate with our state
and local partners to share the information and resources needed to ensure anyone hurting our
most vulnerable is investigated and brought to justice.”
Following the initial appearance, Trimbell was remanded to the custody of the United States
Marshals Service pending further proceedings.
On July 28, Delaware County Sheriff Craig S. DuMond announced new developments in the ongoing criminal investigation of Trimbell.

On June 17,investigators with the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division arrested and charged Trimbell with first degree rape, a class B felony, two counts of third degree aggravated sexual abuse, both class D felonies, and one count of endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor. Following his arrest, Trimbell was remanded to the Delaware County Jail in lieu of $300,000 cash bail or $600,000 secured bond. 

Investigators say that additional investigation revealed that Trimbell sent at least six videos or images to a child of a pornographic nature, including videos of the defendant masturbating to ejaculation. Investigators say these acts were part of Trimbell’s grooming process of a victim in relation to the original charges. 

On July 23, Investigators with the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division arrested Trimbell on an additional six counts of Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minor, all classified as class D felonies. 

Trimbell was later arraigned at the Delaware County CAP Court before Town of Walton Justice Michael Rippa, where the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office made an argument for bail in the amount of $100,000 cash or $200,000 secured property bond on the additional charges. After hearing arguments from the DA’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office, Justice Rippa set bail at $1.00. The Public Defender’s Office posted the bail and Trimbell was released from custody. 

Speaking on the arrest, Sheriff DuMond remarked, “Based on the reprehensible and disgusting details of this case, it’s impossible to logically determine why the defendant was released on $1.00 bail. This shocks the conscious and is a disgrace concerning the protection and well-being of the defenseless victims of these crimes, innocent children. While my team and I are outraged and discouraged by this action, we remained committed to justice and the protection of the children within our communities.” 

On Sunday, July 27, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT), along with Sheriff’s Office K-9 units, and Deputies assisted the FBI agents in locating Trimbell at a residence in the Town of Bovina. Trimbell was taken into custody by the FBI, who charged him with the sexual exploitation of a child. 

Trimbell coached the combined Stamford/Jefferson modified girls softball team, coached a little league softball team and was a member of the Stamford Town Council until he resigned in July 2024. He is also a candidate for highway superintendent in the town of Stamford.

The following agencies participated in this investigation: Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, Delaware County Road Patrol Division, Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force and the US Attorney of the Northern District of New York. 

Speaking on the assistance from the FBI, the US Attorneys Office/ US Attorney John Sarcone, and other agencies, Sheriff DuMond expressed his sincerest thanks and appreciation for their cooperation and tireless support in this matter. "We truly value our partnerships with our law enforcement colleagues. The collaborative efforts here have undoubtedly helped us protect the victims in this case, and also, has helped us safeguard children throughout our Delaware County communities."

The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless
and until proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Delaware County
Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian is prosecuting the case as part of
Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual
exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child
Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and
local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the
Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe
Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.