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Mayor, 47, of College Park in Maryland is arrested on 56 child pornography charges – but says he’s stepping down to ‘deal with his mental health’
- Patrick Wojahn, 47, was arrested after police searched his home in Maryland
- Investigators say he used a VPN to try to hide his identity online
- Wojahn is accused of possessing and spreading child pornography
The mayor of College Park in Maryland has been arrested on 56 child porn charges after a sting operation linked him to a social media account that was spreading explicit images.
Patrick Wojahn, 47, is in custody after having his home searched on February 28. He stepped down last night before being arrested.
In January, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified local police of a social media account that was spreading explicit images.
Police tied that account to Wojahn, and say he used a VPN to try and hide his identity.
Patrick Wojahn, 47, is in custody after having his home searched on February 28. He stepped down last night before being arrested
He was linked to it because he’d used his College Park email address as the recovery email for the account, according to police.
He has been charged with 40 counts of child porn possession, and 16 counts of distribution of child exploitative material.
Wojahn has served as mayor of College Park, a city of 35,000, since 2015.
Wojahn lives with his husband, Dave Kolesar. They recently visited the White House to celebrate the Respect for Marriage Act in December.
Wojahn with Nancy Pelosi in a social media image
In a resignation letter, he said: ‘I am stepping away to deal with my own mental health
In his resignation letter, Wojahn said: ‘It has been a profound honor and privilege to serve the City of College Park. However, effective immediately, I must resign my position.
‘On February 28, 2023, a search warrant was executed on my residence as part of an ongoing police investigation. I have cooperated fully, and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement.
‘While this investigation does not involve any official business of any kind, it is in the best interests of our community that I step aside and not serve as a distraction.
‘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 keep me and my family in your prayers.’
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