The mayor of College Park, Md. resigned Thursday after being indicted on 56 counts of possession and distribution of child pornography. Patrick Wojahn, an openly gay Democrat, also served as councilman for eight years. He was arrested Thursday morning, as reported by the Prince George's County Police Department (PGPD):
Detectives arrested and charged 47-year-old Patrick Wojahn with 56 counts of possession & distribution of child pornography. https://t.co/Dn9H1kzkh9 pic.twitter.com/TlspmoUmyl
— PGPDNEWS (@PGPDNews) March 2, 2023
The investigation had been going on for a long time, specifically on Feb. 17. That day, PGPD explained, they received a troubling alert from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:
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. 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.
However, the investigation could not be completed until ten days later. On Feb. 28, police were able to obtain a search warrant for Wojahn's home and immediately went to the scene:
On February 28, 2023, PGPD detectives served a search warrant at Wojahn’s College Park home. Investigators recovered multiple cell phones, a storage device, a tablet and a computer. Following additional investigation, PGPD obtained criminal charges against Wojahn.
After obtaining the evidence that led to the charges, investigators proceeded to arrest of the now-former mayor, which took place this Thursday morning. In addition, they detail, the former mayor will face several charges of possession of child pornography:
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.
Wojahn resigns as mayor of College Park
Wojahn has lived in College Park for about 17 years. In fact, he resides there with his husband, Dave Kolesar. In addition, he was a city councilman for eight years before serving as mayor.
After the PGPD searched his home, Wojahn proceeded to step down as mayor. He did so in a letter of resignation to which The Washington Post obtained access. It reads as follows:
I have cooperated fully, and will continue to cooperate, with law enforcement. 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.
In addition, he assured that he was leaving his position to "deal with my own mental health." The City of College Park has already commented on Wojahn's arrest. They did so through a statement on Twitter:
The City of College Park was made aware this morning of former Mayor Patrick Wojahn’s arrest by Prince George’s County Police and the charges that have been filed. We are shocked and disturbed by the news; what has come to light in this investigation is a total surprise to us. The City knows that this news is distressing and difficult for our community, and we encourage our residents to seek any help they feel necessary to work through this trying time.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
City Statement on Former Mayor Wojahn's Arresthttps://t.co/RFkqpNW9ho— City of College Park (@CollegePark_MD) March 2, 2023
