A South Gardiner father of four has been charged with possessing child pornography.

Justin Nichols, 39, was arrested at his home Monday and charged with one count of possessing sexually explicit material, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland said in a release.

Nichols was released on bail under conditions that he have no contact with anyone under 18. He is expected to make his first court appearance Feb. 25.

Police began investigating Nichols after getting a tip he was sharing photos of children over the Internet, McCausland said. The State Police Computer Crimes Unit charged Nichols at his Union Street home this week.

Police seized his computer and will analyze it for additional activity.

None of the children in the images are believed to be from Maine, McCausland said.