Patrick L Wojahn: Maryland mayor resigns amid arrest on 56 counts of possession and distribution of child pornography
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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND: College Park mayor resigned from his post before he was arrested on 16 counts of distribution of child exploitative material and 40 counts of possession of child exploitative material, according to authorities. Stepping down from his mayoral post in Maryland, Patrick L Wojahn was taken into custody on Thursday morning, March 2.
In January, the PGPD detectives were notified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that within the department's jurisdiction, a social media account that "possessed and distributed suspected child pornography" has been operating, according to the press release by Prince George's County Police Department. "Through various investigative techniques, PGPD investigators discovered the social media account belonged to Wojahn," investigators said as the social media account was used for uploading the videos and images in question, reported Law and Crime.
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Who is Patrick L Wojahn?
Wojahn, the 47-year-old ex-mayor previously worked as a policy and legal advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS in the DC metro area and for the rights of people with disabilities. Before he was elected as mayor in 2015, Wojahn served on the College Park City council in 2007. A search warrant at his College Park residence was obtained by detectives on Tuesday, February 28. According to the investigators, a computer, a tablet, a digital storage device, and several cell phones were recovered.
"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 who announced at a press conference that additional charges may still be filed as the investigation remains ongoing.
Patrick L Wojahn's resignation letter
Late Wednesday, Wojahn submitted his resignation to the council with immediate effect, as per the city's press release. The ex-mayor mentioned the warrant served on his home and revealed to the city council that it was part of an "ongoing police investigation" and did not involve "any official city business of any kind."
Wojahn said that he would not be a distraction as his decision to step down was in the community's best interest. In the closing letter, he wrote, "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." According to city officials, a special election will be held soon to fill the mayoral post.
The ex-mayor allegedly confirmed to investigators that the 'skippy_md' Kik account they have been investigating for uploading CSAM was operated by him. Wojahn also told the detectives that he had viewed and possessed child pornographic content, according to his charging documents, reported The Washington Post.