Crime

Former Mass. national guardsman pleads guilty to child porn charges

The guilty plea comes nearly a year after Nicholas Wells was accused of distributing child pornography videos and chatting online about his interest in minors.

Nicholas Wells, 44, was formerly a master sergeant of the 102 Security Forces of the Massachusetts National Guard, stationed in Sandwich. AP Photo/Steven Senne, File

By Abby Patkin

September 19, 2025

1 minute to read

A former master sergeant in the Massachusetts National Guard pleaded guilty in federal court this week to possessing and sharing child sexual abuse materials, some of which reportedly involved infants.

Nicholas Wells, 44, who was stationed in Sandwich, pleaded guilty to possession and distribution of child pornography Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. He is scheduled for sentencing Jan. 6.

Previously:

Master sergeant in Mass. National Guard facing child porn charges

The change of plea comes nearly a year after Wells was arrested and accused of distributing child pornography videos and chatting online via the messaging application Kik about his interest in minors, federal prosecutors said. Investigators found on his phone more than 300 images and 100 videos depicting child sexual abuse.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Wells also distributed more than 70 videos depicting child sexual abuse, some of which involved infants.

Following his arrest last year, the Massachusetts National Guard released a statement acknowledging that the allegations against Wells were “very serious.”

“Criminal activity is not compatible with our values as an organization and will not be tolerated in our ranks,” the Massachusetts National Guard said at the time. “These alleged crimes are separate from his military service and as such, the civilian criminal justice system holds jurisdiction.”

Wells was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals following Tuesday’s change of plea hearing, court records show.

Each of Wells’s charges carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Under a plea agreement filed in court, prosecutors have agreed to recommend Wells be sentenced to no more than 97 months, or just over eight years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He also faces a fine and restitution.

The terms of the plea agreement are subject to a judge’s approval.