Bond Denied For Former College Park Mayor Facing 56 Child Porn Charges: Report

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A judge has denied bond for 47-year-old Patrick Wojahn, the former College Park mayor charged with 56 counts of possession and distribution of child pornography. Bond was denied during a Monday morning hearing, so Wojahn will remain behind bars while his case works its way through the court system.

Wojahn was arrested March 2 and charged with 40 counts of possession of child exploitative materials and 16 counts of distribution of child exploitative material.

During the bond hearing, defense attorney David Moyse argued the former mayor was cooperative and not a risk to anyone and that he could be restricted from going online and receive the necessary support at home, WTOP reported. Wojahn had about a dozen people in the courtroom showing support for him.

But Assistant Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Jessica Garth did not agree with Moyse, WTOP reported. Garth said during the bond hearing that the videos found by police were "extremely graphic" and a “memorialization of sexual abuse.”

Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy said outside the courtroom after the hearing that she hadn’t seen the images but had read the charging documents that describe them, WTOP reported.

“They’re beyond what any human being should view, especially when it involves children, young people, people who are not at the age of consent, people who are being exploited,” she said. “Anyone who accesses child pornography is a danger to our community. Our young people deserve to be respected, cared for and protected.”

On Feb. 17, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified the Prince George's County Police Department that a social media account linked to a county resident possessed and distributed suspected child pornography. The image and videos had been uploaded to the social media account in January 2023. PGPD investigators discovered the social media account belonged to Wojahn. PGPD detectives served a search warrant at Wojahn’s College Park home Feb. 28. Investigators recovered multiple cell phones, a storage device, a tablet and a computer.

City officials spoke out the day after being made aware of the former mayor's arrest and the charges filed against him.

"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. This is an ongoing and active investigation. The city will respect the process of this investigation and will cooperate fully with requests for information," the city said in a statement.

Wojahn resigned as mayor before he was arrested. He had served as mayor of College Park since 2015 and sat on the council since 2007.

“Last night, after business hours, Mayor Patrick L. Wojahn submitted his letter of resignation as mayor of the city of College Park, effective immediately on March 2. Mayor Wojahn has served in this position since 2015 and on Council since 2007. The city of College Park thanks Mayor Wojahn for his many years of dedicated service,” a statement posted on the city's website said.

In his resignation letter also posted on the city’s website, Wojahn wrote it has been a “profound honor and privilege” to serve the city. He shared that a search warrant had been executed on his residence and that he has cooperated fully 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,” he said. “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.”

If anyone has information relevant to this investigation, they are asked to call detectives at (301) 772-4930. Callers wanting to remain anonymous can call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto a mobile device.) Refer to case number 23-0009239.