Convict Who Wanted Military Pension Gets 18 Years

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A judge has imposed an 18-year prison sentence on a Wyoming man who sought unsuccessfully to have his sentencing on child sex-crime convictions delayed so he could receive a military pension.

U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson of Cheyenne sentenced Army National Guard Lt. Timothy Wells on Thursday.

Wells, of Cheyenne, was convicted in October of sexual exploitation of a child and other charges. Prosecutors say the crimes occurred at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne.

Johnson recently denied a request to release Wells from custody temporarily and reschedule his sentencing for April to allow Wells to finish the 20 years of military service necessary to qualify for a pension.

Assistant Federal Public Defender James Barrett told Johnson in court that Wells now has lost his military pension.