Massachusetts National Guard found with photos of child sexual abuse, prosecutors say

A 43-year-old master sergeant with the Massachusetts National Guard was arrested Thursday on charges of possession and distribution of child sexual abuse materials, federal prosecutors announced.

Nicholas Wells, who is stationed in Sandwich, is charged with possession and distribution of child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy’s office said in a statement. Wells made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston on Thursday and accepted voluntary detention pending his trial.

Prosecutors say Wells engaged in several conversations on the texting app Kik, where he discussed his sexual interest in minors and showed videos depicting child sexual abuse. In one message, he described sexually abusing two of his four children when they were babies, according to an affidavit filed in court.

Investigators found more than 300 images depicting child sexual abuse and more than 100 videos after a search of Wells’ Kik account and his home, according to the statement. Prosecutors say they also found evidence that Wells distributed more than 70 videos depicting child sexual abuse.

Wells faces a minimum sentence of five years in prison for each count, with a maximum of 20 years.