Wells is assigned to the 102nd Security Forces, part of the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base in Sandwich, according to federal court records.

The FBI focused on Wells after an agent with the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force in Jacksonville, Florida, allegedly discovered an account on the messaging service Kik for a man from Massachusetts. The man shared photos and videos of child sexual abuse materials with other users, according to an FBI affidavit.

Agents tracked the Kik user’s internet address to Wells’ home in Sandwich, according to the affidavit. In March, agents obtained a search warrant for his cell phone and residence and allegedly recovered 312 photos and 109 videos of alleged child sexual abuse material, according to court records.

In April, agents obtained a search warrant for Wells’ Kik account and found 70 videos of child sexual abuse material that he allegedly collected online and shared, records show.

Wells faces up to 20 years in prison for possession of child pornography and a maximum of 20 years for distribution of child pornography.

Wells was ordered off the Cape Cod base and his security clearance was revoked March 5 after the FBI searched his home and cellphone, according to court records and the Massachusetts National Guard.

“The charges against Nicholas Wells are very serious,” the Garda said in a statement on Friday. “Criminal activity is not consistent with our values ​​as an organization and will not be tolerated within our ranks. »

Wells joined the Air Force in November 1988 and enlisted in the Air Force National Guard in 2021. A security specialist, he was not deployed during his National Guard service, records show .

During his military career, Wells earned the Air Force, Army, and Navy Commendation Medals. He also earned Air Force and Army Achievement Medals, records show.

The basis for those honors was not immediately available Friday.

John R. Ellement can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow him @JREbosglobe.