Former Dem Mayor Of Maryland Patrick Wojahn Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison For Child Porn
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
12:40 PM – Tuesday, November 21, 2023
A former mayor of Maryland and prominent LGBTQ+ activist who was found guilty earlier this year in a horrific case involving child pornography was given a 30-year prison sentence on Monday.
As part of an agreement with prosecutors, Patrick Wojahn, who resigned from his position as mayor of College Park, Maryland, on March 2nd, entered a guilty plea to 140 counts of child pornography.
According to state law, he will be up for parole in 7.5 years after receiving a sentence of 150 years overall, of which 30 years are suspended, as reported by The Washington Post.
Investigators connected his official email address to an account that had shared disturbing, illegal photos, which led to his imprisonment.
The judge presiding over the case, Karen Mason, expressed sympathy for the former mayor’s nauseating collection of media.
“I do sense the remorsefulness,” said Mason on Monday during the hearing, when prosecutors read hours of victim statements. “And I do know you take responsibility.”
Investigators discovered that Wojahn’s College Park government email address was specified as the Kik account’s recovery email by means of a subpoena.
Authorities say that the ex-mayor hid his location when logging into the account by using a virtual private network, and they have since linked Wojahn’s phone number and home IP address to it.
There were even more disturbing graphic photos that were found uploaded by the former mayor on the social networking platform Telegram.
According to court documents, Wojahn was charged with 80 counts of possessing and intending to distribute child pornography in March by a grand jury.
In May, a supplemental indictment increased the number of charges to 140. In August, he entered a guilty plea to all 60 charges of child pornography distribution, 40 counts of child pornography possession, and 40 counts of child pornography possession with the intent to disseminate.
In cooperation with the Justice Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, law enforcement identified 52 child victims, some of whom are now adults, among the children featured in the hundreds of images and videos that Wojahn owned and shared.
The victim impact statements, which were read aloud in court, described their struggles with severe anxiety, paranoia, insomnia, trust issues, and a sense of safety.
Several of the victims also claimed that, after being revealed as victims of online child exploitation, they were stalked and had to move their current families and children away from their residences and preferred cities.
Before deciding to send the former mayor to the treatment-focused maximum-security Patuxent Institution in Maryland, the judge highlighted Wojahn’s own personal history as a victim of sexual abuse and heard statements of support from sixteen witnesses who discussed Wojahn’s “history of public service.”
On Monday, he apologized in front of the court.
“I know I contributed to that, and I’m deeply, deeply sorry … I recognize the damage I have caused,” Wojahn said. “I want to be the person they know me to be,” he continued, before addressing his husband.
Former Georgetown University Law School graduate Wojahn, a fervent supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, joined his now-husband in a 2006 lawsuit against the state of Maryland to establish marriage as a legal right for same-sex couples in the state.
Wojahn served on the College Park City Council for eight years prior to becoming mayor in November 2015. Prior to his departure earlier this year, he held that position for seven years.
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How did Patrick Wojahn go to great lengths to conceal his involvement in child pornography?
And was elected as mayor in 2015. During his tenure, he was known for advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and pushing for inclusive policies in College Park.
However, behind his public image as a champion for equality, Wojahn had a dark secret. Investigators discovered that he was involved in a horrifying case of child pornography. His official email address was linked to an account that shared illegal and disturbing photos. This discovery led to his arrest and subsequent guilty plea to 140 counts of child pornography.
The sentencing hearing took place on Monday, where the judge, Karen Mason, expressed sympathy for the victims and their statements. Despite acknowledging Wojahn’s remorse, she handed down a 30-year prison sentence, with the possibility of parole in 7.5 years. However, it’s important to note that he was initially sentenced to 150 years overall, with 30 years suspended.
Authorities found that Wojahn had gone to great lengths to hide his activities. He used a virtual private network to conceal his location when logging into the account. Additionally, more disturbing photos were found on a social networking platform that he frequented.
The impact on the victims was devastating. The victim impact statements read in court detailed their struggles with anxiety, paranoia, insomnia, and trust issues. Some even had to relocate their families to ensure their safety after being revealed as victims of online child exploitation.
Before the sentencing, the judge took into account Wojahn’s personal history as a victim of sexual abuse, as well as statements of support from sixteen witnesses who highlighted his history of public service. Despite this, the gravity of his crimes outweighed any mitigating factors, and he was ultimately sentenced to a lengthy prison term.
In his apology to the court, Wojahn acknowledged the damage he had caused and expressed his desire to change. He apologized not only to the victims but also to his husband, recognizing the impact of his actions on their relationship.
The case of Patrick Wojahn serves as a stark reminder that no one is immune to the consequences of their actions, regardless of their public image or personal history. The justice system has spoken, and now the focus must turn to supporting the victims and working towards preventing such heinous crimes in the future. It is only through education, awareness, and strong law enforcement that we can hope to protect our children and create a safer society for all.
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