College Park mayor charged with possession, distribution of child pornography

Police in Prince George’s County have arrested and charged Patrick Wojahn, the mayor of College Park, with possession and distribution of child pornography. The mayor has since resigned.

According to a news release, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children contacted Prince George’s County police on Feb. 17 about a social media account operating in the county that possessed and distributed suspected child pornography. The images had been uploaded on social media in January, police said.

“Through various investigative techniques, PGPD investigators discovered the social media account belonged to Wojahn,” the new release said.

Police executed a search warrant of his home on Feb. 28, recovering multiple cellphones, a storage device, a tablet and a computer.

Wojahn was arrested Thursday morning and charged with 40 counts of possession of child exploitative material and 16 counts of distribution of child exploitative material. He is being held at the county’s Department of Corrections.

In a statement, the City of College Park said Wojahn submitted a letter of resignation late Wednesday night effective immediately. He had served as the city’s mayor since 2015 and was previously on the council since 2007.

“I have cooperated fully, and will continue to cooperate, with law enforcement,” Wojahn wrote in the letter. “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.”

Mayor Pro Tem Denise Mitchell will serve as the presiding officer until a special election is held and the city’s new mayor is sworn in. The election must be held within 65 days.

Wojahn is married to an employee of Hubbard Radio Washington DC, which owns WTOP.

As part of Maryland Matters’ content sharing agreement with WTOP, we feature this article from Jose Umana. Click here for the WTOP News website.

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