Ex-MA National Guard Sergeant On Cape Cod Pleads Guilty To Child Porn Charges

SANDWICH, MA — A former Master Sergeant of the 102 Security Forces of the Massachusetts National Guard stationed in Sandwich, Mass. pleaded guilty today in federal court to possession and distribution of child pornography.

Nicholas Wells, 44, pleaded guilty to possession and distribution of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani, who scheduled sentencing for Jan. 6, 2026, officials said.

In September 2024, Wells was indicted by a federal grand jury.

Wells engaged in chats on a messaging application, in which he discussed his interest in minors and distributed videos depicting child pornography. Over 300 images and 100 videos depicting child pornography were located on his phone.

It was also determined that Wells distributed over 70 videos depicting child pornography, some of which involved infants.

The charge of possessing child pornography provides for a sentence of 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.

The charge of distributing child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years and not more than 20 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.