Maryland Mayor Resigns After Being Arrested for Possessing Child Pornography

After being charged with 56 counts for child pornography distribution and possession, a mayor in Maryland resigned on March 2.

“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,” Patrick Wojahn, Mayor of Democrat College Park, stated in his resignation letter.

Wojahn, 47 cited another desire. “to deal with my own mental health.”

According to the department, detectives from Prince George’s County Police Department served a warrant for Wojahn’s arrest on February 28. They found cellphones, a tablet and a computer at Wojahn’s house. After reviewing the devices they arrested Wojahn for 40 child porn possession charges and 16 child exploitative material distribution charges.

Officials indicated that more charges could follow. Wojahn’s spouse has not been charged.

Investigation

The warrant was executed after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children sent a tip about a social media account operating in Prince George’s County that possessed and distributed suspected child porn in January.

According to The Epoch Times charging documents, Wojahn had control of the Kik account. It was known as skippy_md.

Yahoo provided data on the Yahoo email account associated with it under subpoenas. Kik also provided images of the profile associated with that account. When the search warrant was executed, the same images were discovered. Additionally, the shoes shown in one photograph were found inside the home. Unique features were also discovered in the photos. “found to be a match to the Defendant’s kitchen and bedroom, respectively,” The documents said. Kik also shared child porn images with the account.

Detectives interviewed Wojahn and he admitted to having the account and that he may have distributed child porn. According to the charges documents.

“He advised that he has viewed and possessed files depicting child pornography,” Authorities wrote. “He also indicated that when viewing these files, he ‘may have passed it on,’ indicating he has distributed files depicting child pornography to other persons.”

The authorities provided detailed descriptions of every picture and video that they discovered during their investigation. They are still trying to identify the minors depicted.

‘A Total Surprise’

Wojahn was elected as mayor in 2015. With 1,236 votes, he won election and was reelected with 1,568 votes. He served on the City Council between 2007 and 2015.

Wojahn filed a lawsuit with his husband to lift the Maryland ban on gay marriage in 2004.

He was present at the White House multiple times, including when President Joe Biden signed The Respect for Marriage Act.

Wojahn described Pete Buttieg (Transport Secretary) as a mentor.

College Park officials claimed in a statement that they were “shocked and disturbed” These charges were described as “a total surprise to us.”

The mayor was resigning after Wojahn was thanked by the city “for his many years of dedicated service” He said that Denise Mitchell, Mayor Pro Tem, would succeed him until a special election takes place.

Although the date for special elections has not been determined, it must be held within 65-days according to city rules.

“Today has been a very difficult day for the residents, staff and elected officials in College Park. Like our community, we are shocked and disturbed by the arrest and charges filed against the former mayor. As this is an on-going and active investigation, the City will respect the judicial process and cooperate fully with the investigation,” Mitchell made the statement in a statement.

“While we continue to process everything that has happened today, City services and work cannot and will not stop. It is vital for our community and our residents to know that City services will continue to operate, uninterrupted,” She continued.

College Park is home to 35,000 people and includes the University of Maryland campus. It is located about 35 minutes north of Washington, D.C.

‘Shocks the Mind’

Malik Aziz, Chief of Prince George’s County Police, stated that the charges showed that child porn crime will not be tolerated.

“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,” He said.

Aziz stated what happened “shocks the mind, shocks the value and the consciousness and honor of any person who considers themselves to be trustworthy to hold office or hold a position in society.”

Aziz said that when people are elected to office, it is troubling when they betray that trust.

According to the police chief, anyone who is in trouble, even if they are involved with criminal acts, should seek assistance. “before it escalates or goes into another zone that would be more disturbing.”

Officials said that Prince George’s law enforcement officers made 18 arrests for child abuse offenses in 2022 after receiving more than 1000 cyber tips.