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Master sergeant in Mass. National Guard facing child porn charges
Nicholas Wells, 43, was stationed at Otis Air National Base in Sandwich before investigators allegedly found hundreds of child porn images in his possession.
A master sergeant in the Massachusetts Air National Guard stationed on Cape Cod allegedly possessed hundreds of child pornography images and videos and distributed over 70 of them on a messaging application, federal officials announced Friday.
Nicholas Wells, 43, was arrested Thursday and appeared in U.S. District Court in Boston on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography, according to acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy’s office. Wells agreed to voluntarily detention pending trial without prejudice. Not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf, The Boston Globe reported.
Prosecutors allege that Wells participated in online discussions where he expressed an interest in minors and shared videos depicting child pornography. Following search warrants for Wells’ home and messaging application, FBI agents allegedly found over 300 images and 100 videos depicting child pornography on Wells’ phone. Prosecutors say Wells allegedly distributed over 70 videos.
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If convicted, Wells faces up to 20 years in prison for the charge of child pornography possession and 20 years for distribution of child pornography.
Wells was assigned to the 102nd Security Forces at Otis Air National Base in Sandwich. Following the FBI search, Wells was ordered off the base and had his security clearance revoked.
The Massachusetts National Guard released 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 separate from his military service and as such, the civilian criminal justice system holds jurisdiction.”
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Levy’s office said the case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice to end child sexual exploitation and abuse.
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