Photo: PGPD
A mayor in Maryland has resigned after being arrested on 56 counts of possession and distribution of child pornography
Patrick Wojahn, the mayor of College Park, Md., allegedly operated a social media account that possessed and distributed suspected child pornography, thePrince George’s County Police Departmentsaid in a news release.
Wojahn, 47, allegedly uploaded the elicit material in January of this year, police say, causing investigators to obtain a search warrant for his home in which they recovered multiple cell phones, a storage device, a tablet, and a computer from his home, which led to his arrest on Thursday morning.
The City of College Parkissued a statementon Thursday, announcing that Wojahn had resigned “last night, after business hours,” and that a special election will be held within the next 65 days as Mayor Pro Tem Denise Mitchell fills the position. Wojahn served as mayor since 2015 and was on city council since 2007.
“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,” he wrote.
He added: “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.”
PGPD Police Chief Malik Aziz and a State’s Attorney’s Office representativeheld a press conferenceThursday expressing that there is still an “open and active investigation.”
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“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,” Aziz said.
After the initial investigation, Wojahn was arrested on 40 counts of possession of child exploitative material and 16 counts of distribution of child exploitative material.
An attorney for Wojahn told CNN the former mayor is “cooperating fully with law enforcement.”
Officials are asking anyone with information relevant to this investigation to call detectives at (301) 772-4930.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or go online atwww.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app. Callers are being asked to refer to case number 23-0009239.
source: people.com
