Anderson Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Making, Distributing Child Sex Abuse Video

COLUMBIA, S.C. - David Lynn Wells, 32, of Anderson, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for making and distributing child sexual abuse material.*

According to court documents and statements made in court, this case originated from an investigation in the United Kingdom. British authorities arrested a man suspected of possessing child sexual abuse material and reviewed his electronic devices. They located a recording of a 2020 video call in which an adult male was sexually abusing a baby boy. The name "David Wells" was visible on the screen. Investigators identified Wells after locating a prior mugshot for Wells in Anderson County, South Carolina. British authorities contacted Homeland Security Investigations.

HSI investigators were able to locate the victim's mother and established that she knew Wells, that they lived in the same apartment complex at one time, and that Wells did watch her minor child from time to time when she ran errands. Agents showed the mother sanitized images of the video, and she identified Wells, the child, and Wells' apartment.

"The depraved conduct in this case is truly unfathomable," said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. "My office will remain dedicated to prosecuting and punishing those who harm children and create vile material to be distributed across the internet."

"This action sends a powerful message: those who exploit children will face the full force of the law," said Mark M. Zito Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in North Carolina and South Carolina. "Homeland Security Investigations is unwavering in our commitment to protect children from predators. We will relentlessly pursue offenders wherever they operate and ensure they are brought to justice. Our partnerships with local, national, and international agencies are vital in this fight, and together we will hold those responsible for these horrific crimes fully accountable."

United States District Judge Jacquelyn D. Austin sentenced Wells to 360 months imprisonment, to be followed by lifetime supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Wells is currently serving an eight-year sentence in the South Carolina Department of Corrections for sexual battery involving two other children.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Watkins prosecuted the case.

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* The term "child pornography" is currently used in federal statutes and is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a person less than 18 years old. While this phrase still appears in federal law, "child sexual abuse material" is preferred, as it better reflects the abuse that is depicted in the images and videos and the resulting trauma to the child.