A former member of the Massachusetts National Guard has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to child pornography. Nicholas Wells, 44, who served as a Master Sergeant with the 102 Security Forces in Sandwich, Massachusetts, admitted to possession and distribution of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani. Sentencing is scheduled for January 6, 2026.
Wells was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2024. Investigators found that he had engaged in chats on a messaging application where he discussed his interest in minors and distributed videos depicting child pornography. Authorities discovered over 300 images and 100 videos of child pornography on his phone, and determined that he distributed more than 70 videos, some involving infants.
The maximum penalty for possession of child pornography is up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Distribution carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence will be determined by the judge based on federal guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: “United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement.” She noted that assistance came from the Massachusetts State Police as well as Barnstable and Sandwich Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Sullivan is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordination among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
