Sergeant Major in Massachusetts. National Guard faces child pornography charges

A Massachusetts Air National Guard master sergeant stationed on Cape Cod allegedly possessed hundreds of images and videos of child pornography and distributed more than 70 of them on a messaging app, federal officials announced Friday.

Nicholas Wells, 43, was arrested Thursday and appeared in Boston District Court on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy’s office. Wells accepted voluntary detention pending trial without prejudice. Not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf, The Boston Globe reported.

Prosecutors allege that Wells engaged in online discussions in which he expressed interest in minors and shared videos depicting child pornography. Following search warrants for Wells’ home and messaging app, FBI agents allegedly found more than 300 images and 100 videos depicting child pornography on Wells’ phone. Prosecutors say Wells allegedly distributed more than 70 videos.

If convicted, Wells faces up to 20 years in prison on the possession of child pornography charge and 20 years for distribution of child pornography.

Wells was assigned to the 102nd Security Forces at Otis Air National Base in Sandwich. After the FBI search, Wells was ordered to leave the base and his security clearance was revoked.

The Massachusetts National Guard issued a statement saying: “The charges against Nicholas Wells are very serious. Criminal activity is not compatible with our values ​​as an organization and will not be tolerated in our ranks. “These alleged crimes are independent of his military service and, as such, the civilian criminal justice system has jurisdiction.”

Levy’s office said the case was filed as part of Safe Childhood Projecta national initiative launched by the Department of Justice to end child sexual exploitation and abuse.