Mayor of College Park, Maryland, Patrick Wojahn (D) stepped down from his position before being arrested.
The Prince George’s County Police Department issued a statement Thursday, saying Wojahn was arrested for “possession and distribution of child pornography.”
The statement explains, “On February 17, 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified the PGPD that a social media account operating in the county possessed and distributed suspected child pornography.”
It continues, “The image and videos had been uploaded to the social media account in January of 2023. Through various investigative techniques, PGPD investigators discovered the social media account belonged to Wojahn.”
After obtaining a search warrant, “Investigators recovered multiple cell phones, a storage device, a tablet and a computer.”
He was later taken into custody.
“Wojahn is charged with 40 counts of possession of child exploitative material and 16 counts of distribution of child exploitative material. He is in the custody of the Department of Corrections,” the department said.
The statement noted the investigation is open and ongoing.
In his resignation letter, Wojahn said it was a “profound honor and privilege” to serve the city.
He added, “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.”
The letter continues, “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.”
Wojahn became the first openly gay man to serve as mayor of the city in 2015.
