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Maryland mayor and LGBT activists arrested on 60 counts of child pr0nography.
Man, some of these guys out here are totally demented.
College Park, Md. mayor arrested on 56 counts of child pr0nography charges: Police
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (7News) —
The mayor of College Park, Md. was taken into custody on Thursday, March 2, 2023. (photo courtesy of PGPD)
The mayor of College Park, Md. was arrested Thursday morning on numerous child pr0nography charges, according to the Prince George's County Police Department (PGPD).
7News' Maryland Bureau Chief Brad Bell learned that Patrick Wojahn, 47, has been arrested on child pr0n charges and has resigned from his post.
PGPD Police Chief Aziz and a representative from the State’s Attorney’s Office held a press conference Thursday. You can watch it below:
The mayor of College Park, Md. was taken into custody on Thursday, March 2, 2023, after his home was searched on Feb. 28, 2023. (7News)
Authorities said on Feb. 17, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified the police department that a social media account operating in the county possessed and distributed suspected child pr0nography.
Investigators discovered the social media account belonged to Wojahn. The image and videos had been uploaded to the social media account in January of 2023, police said.
SEE ALSO | 'Stop doing this to the parents': Maryland mother reads graphic school library book, demands removal
On Feb. 28, detectives served a search warrant at Wojahn’s College Park home and recovered multiple cell phones, a storage device, a tablet and a computer.
The mayor of College Park, Md. was taken into custody on Thursday, March 2, 2023, after his home was searched on Feb. 28, 2023. (Photo courtesy of PGPD)
Wojahn was taken into custody early Thursday morning.
He's charged with 40 counts of possession of child exploitative material and 16 counts of distribution of child exploitative material. Authorities said they anticipate additional charges will be filed.
There is no indication at this time that child pr0nography was produced in this case, authorities said.
Wojahn is in custody in the Prince George's County Department of Corrections.
"We send a clear message to anyone involved in this type of material that units like this are looking, they're working every day to make sure that we have a safe county and a safe state," said Prince George's County Police Chief Malik Aziz.
On Feb. 13, Wojahn was elected Chair of the National League of Cities (NLC) 2023 University Communities Council (UCC), according to a release posted on the city's official website.
"As part of his one-year term, Wojahn will develop and guide programs among local elected officials from similar communities," the release stated.
Wojahn ran for mayor in 2015 after serving eight years on the city council, according to his biography on the city's site.
The City of College Park released a statement on the resignation of Wojahn:
"Last night, after business hours, Mayor Patrick L. Wojahn submitted his letter of resignation as Mayor of the City of College Park, effective immediately on March 2. Mayor Wojahn has served in this position since 2015 and on Council since 2007. The City of College Park thanks Mayor Wojahn for his many years of dedicated service.
Effective immediately, Mayor Pro Tem Denise Mitchell will serve as presiding officer until a Special Election is held and a new Mayor has been sworn in. Per the City Charter, a Special Election must be held within 65 days. The City's Board of Election Supervisors will convene to schedule the date of the Special Election. Details about the upcoming Special Election, including candidate packets and voting information, will be posted on the City's website at
www.collegeparkmd.gov. The candidate elected as Mayor in the Special Election will serve until the next Mayor is seated following the November 5, 2023 General Election."
Below is Wojahn’s resignation letter sent to the City of College Park:
"It has been a profound honor and privilege to serve the City of College Park since 2007 as a City Councilmember and your Mayor. However, effective immediately, I must resign my position.
On February 28, 2023, a search warrant was executed on my residence as part of an ongoing police investigation. I have cooperated fully, and will continue to cooperate, with law enforcement.
While this investigation does not involve any official city business of any kind, it is in the best interests of our community that I step aside and not serve as a distraction.
I have great trust in the ability of Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell, the City Council, and our staff to carry forward what we have accomplished.
Many of you have already reached out with well wishes and thoughts, and I am eternally grateful. I am stepping away to deal with my own mental health. I ask that you continue to keep me and my family in your prayers.
Sincerely,
Patrick L. Wojahn"
This remains an open and active investigation.
If anyone has information relevant to this investigation, they are asked to please call Prince George's County Police Department detectives at (301) 772-4930. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app (Search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device.) Please refer to case number 23-0009239.
College Park, Md. mayor arrested on 56 counts of child pr0nography charges: Police
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (7News) —
The mayor of College Park, Md. was taken into custody on Thursday, March 2, 2023. (photo courtesy of PGPD)
The mayor of College Park, Md. was arrested Thursday morning on numerous child pr0nography charges, according to the Prince George's County Police Department (PGPD).
7News' Maryland Bureau Chief Brad Bell learned that Patrick Wojahn, 47, has been arrested on child pr0n charges and has resigned from his post.
PGPD Police Chief Aziz and a representative from the State’s Attorney’s Office held a press conference Thursday. You can watch it below:
The mayor of College Park, Md. was taken into custody on Thursday, March 2, 2023, after his home was searched on Feb. 28, 2023. (7News)
Authorities said on Feb. 17, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified the police department that a social media account operating in the county possessed and distributed suspected child pr0nography.
Investigators discovered the social media account belonged to Wojahn. The image and videos had been uploaded to the social media account in January of 2023, police said.
SEE ALSO | 'Stop doing this to the parents': Maryland mother reads graphic school library book, demands removal
On Feb. 28, detectives served a search warrant at Wojahn’s College Park home and recovered multiple cell phones, a storage device, a tablet and a computer.
The mayor of College Park, Md. was taken into custody on Thursday, March 2, 2023, after his home was searched on Feb. 28, 2023. (Photo courtesy of PGPD)
Wojahn was taken into custody early Thursday morning.
He's charged with 40 counts of possession of child exploitative material and 16 counts of distribution of child exploitative material. Authorities said they anticipate additional charges will be filed.
There is no indication at this time that child pr0nography was produced in this case, authorities said.
Wojahn is in custody in the Prince George's County Department of Corrections.
"We send a clear message to anyone involved in this type of material that units like this are looking, they're working every day to make sure that we have a safe county and a safe state," said Prince George's County Police Chief Malik Aziz.
On Feb. 13, Wojahn was elected Chair of the National League of Cities (NLC) 2023 University Communities Council (UCC), according to a release posted on the city's official website.
"As part of his one-year term, Wojahn will develop and guide programs among local elected officials from similar communities," the release stated.
Wojahn ran for mayor in 2015 after serving eight years on the city council, according to his biography on the city's site.
The City of College Park released a statement on the resignation of Wojahn:
"Last night, after business hours, Mayor Patrick L. Wojahn submitted his letter of resignation as Mayor of the City of College Park, effective immediately on March 2. Mayor Wojahn has served in this position since 2015 and on Council since 2007. The City of College Park thanks Mayor Wojahn for his many years of dedicated service.
Effective immediately, Mayor Pro Tem Denise Mitchell will serve as presiding officer until a Special Election is held and a new Mayor has been sworn in. Per the City Charter, a Special Election must be held within 65 days. The City's Board of Election Supervisors will convene to schedule the date of the Special Election. Details about the upcoming Special Election, including candidate packets and voting information, will be posted on the City's website at
www.collegeparkmd.gov. The candidate elected as Mayor in the Special Election will serve until the next Mayor is seated following the November 5, 2023 General Election."Below is Wojahn’s resignation letter sent to the City of College Park:
"It has been a profound honor and privilege to serve the City of College Park since 2007 as a City Councilmember and your Mayor. However, effective immediately, I must resign my position.
On February 28, 2023, a search warrant was executed on my residence as part of an ongoing police investigation. I have cooperated fully, and will continue to cooperate, with law enforcement.
While this investigation does not involve any official city business of any kind, it is in the best interests of our community that I step aside and not serve as a distraction.
I have great trust in the ability of Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell, the City Council, and our staff to carry forward what we have accomplished.
Many of you have already reached out with well wishes and thoughts, and I am eternally grateful. I am stepping away to deal with my own mental health. I ask that you continue to keep me and my family in your prayers.
Sincerely,
Patrick L. Wojahn"
This remains an open and active investigation.
If anyone has information relevant to this investigation, they are asked to please call Prince George's County Police Department detectives at (301) 772-4930. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or go online at
www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app (Search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device.) Please refer to case number 23-0009239.