Patrick Wojahn, 47, pleaded guilty on Aug. 2 to a total of 140 counts related to the material investigators said they found on his devices.

The plea deal called for a sentence of 150 years with 120 years suspended, meaning he will serve 30 years in prison. Under Maryland law, he will be eligible for parole after serving 7 and 1/2 years of his sentence.

“This sentence is instructive,” State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy said. “It instructs us that child pornography is not simply about images, it’s about the pain behind the images, the tragedies that have occurred in these young people’s lives, that should never have happened to them.”

Prosecutors explained the length of his sentence reflects that the former mayor helped re-victimize children, in some cases as many as 20 years after the exploitation took place.

“For some of these victims, it truly is a death sentence to find out that their images are going to forever live on the internet,” said Monica Myers, the assistant state attorney in Prince George’s County.

Hundreds of victims’ abuse was ‘memorialized’

During the hearing, Myers read off dozens of statements from victims and their parents that detailed the abuse seen in the photos and videos, some of which depicted very young children, including infants. In some instances, the victims were bound or injured during the abuse.

“People often refer to this as a victimless crime, or they try to justify the actions of the defendant by saying he didn’t touch anyone,” Myers said. “The purpose of introducing all the statements by the victims today was to really convey behind every image he possessed is a story.”

One victim who spoke on video said she was stalked and harassed online for years after the abuse and even had to move.

Myers said more than 500 victims who live around the world were on Wojahn’s phone.

The state’s attorney’s office submitted those files to an the National Center for Missing Exploited Children, which can assist in identifying victims of online sexual abuse.

The center was able to identify 52 of the children in the videos, while hundreds of others’ identities remain unknown. Myers was able to contact those who were identified to collect 40 victim statements for Monday’s hearing.

Some of the victims self-medicated with drugs and alcohol, and some shut down for fear their friends or families would find images of them online, Myers said.

Forty character letters were submitted and around 15 people spoke in support of the former mayor during the hearing. Some criticized the length of the prison sentence as draconian and vengeful and said the case had been politicized.

Myers responded to those arguments.

“The reason why he pled to 140 counts was because our office is not going to take a position as to which child deserves to have their rape, that was memorialized on video, and forever lives on the internet, pled to,” Myers said.

Assistant State’s Attorney Jessica Garth said she was disappointed with the former mayor.

“While we didn’t pursue this case any differently because of his status as a public servant, he did betray his trust, he did betray the community, particularly the College Park community,” Garth said.

Wojahn apologized to victims at the hearing and said “from the bottom of my heart I recognize the damage I’ve caused.”

How the investigation led to Wojahn

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children tipped off Prince George’s County police in February that someone in the county was distributing child sexual abuse materials.

The investigation led to Wojahn. Officials found over 1,500 pictures and videos on his devices. They also found he shared around 200 of those files on social media.

Wojahn was first elected mayor in College Park in 2015. He resigned in March shortly before his arrest.

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

������Ƶapp’s John Domen contributed to this report. 

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Wojahn, 47, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Prince George’s County Circuit Court to a total of 140 counts related to possessing and distributing images and videos containing child sex abuse material.

The plea deal calls for a sentence of 150 years with 120 years suspended, meaning Wojahn will serve a 30-year sentence. He is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 20.

“This is a horrific case,” said State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy in a statement. “I am truly pleased that Mr. Wojahn has pled guilty and accepted responsibility for his actions and these horrendous crimes. As a former elected official, the College Park community put its faith and support in him to serve each resident and their best interests. Instead, he let them down in a most disgraceful way.”

Wojahn, who had served as mayor of College Park since 2015, abruptly resigned March 1, shortly before he was arrested on child pornography charges, which sent shock waves through the community.

Police in Prince George’s County said they were tipped off in February by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that someone in the county was distributing child sexual abuse material online. Police said the investigation led them to Wojahn who, they said in charging documents, was using an anonymous account on the mobile messaging app Kik to upload multiple videos of children being sexually abused.

In court Wednesday, Prince George’s County Assistant State’s Attorney Jessica Garth said investigators ended up finding more than 1,500 images and videos on Wojahn’s devices and said he uploaded more than 200 images and videos to various social media platforms.

All told, Wojahn was indicted by a Prince George’s County grand jury on 60 counts of distribution of child pornography, 40 counts of possession of child pornography and 40 counts of possession with intent to distribute.

A special election was held in May to elect a new mayor for the city, which has about 35,000 residents and is home to the University of Maryland.

Wojahn is married to an employee of Hubbard Radio Washington D.C., which owns ������Ƶapp.

������Ƶapp’s John Domen contributed to this report from Prince George’s County Circuit Court.

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Fazlul Kabir won a special election last weekend, and he will be sworn in as mayor on Tuesday.

“What happened with the former mayor was very shocking,” Kabir said. “When you elect someone to a higher office, you expect some kind of higher standard, and that trust has been broken.”

The former mayor, Patrick Wojahn, stepped down in March after being charged with possessing and distributing child pornography.

Kabir, who originally is from Bangladesh, has lived in College Park for 20 years and has been a city council member there for the past 12 years.

He told ������Ƶapp that he has been meeting with residents, expressing empathy and trying to help them move forward.

“I’ve seen people crying in public meetings,” Kabir said. “There is disbelief that this kind of thing could ever happen.”

He said the whole community has been working through “complex emotions,” including “shock, anger and betrayal.”

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said that it 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.

According to charging documents, police allege Wojahn used an anonymous account to upload a variety of illegal content to Kik, a mobile messaging app, in January.

Kik then notified the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Using records subpoenaed from internet service providers, police said investigators traced the account to Wojahn.

Police carried out a search warrant at his home on Feb. 28, seizing multiple cellphones, a storage device, a tablet and a computer.

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

Wojahn is married to an employee of Hubbard Radio Washington D.C., which owns ������Ƶapp.

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According to the city’s charter, the special election had to take place within 65 days.

Voting ended at 6 p.m. at city hall, 7401 Baltimore Ave.

The are Bryan Haddad, S.M. Fazlul Kabir, Catherine Hope Kennedy and Denise C. Mitchell. Three of the four have experience on the College Park City Council.

The election came after Wojahn resigned as mayor in March. He was arrested and charged with dozens of counts of possession and distribution of child pornography. He had been the city’s mayor since 2015.

Wojahn is married to an employee of Hubbard Radio Washington, D.C., which owns ������Ƶapp.

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A grand jury returned an indictment against 47-year-old Wojahn on Tuesday, weeks following his arrest and subsequent resignation as the Maryland city’s mayor. Wojahn faces 40 counts of possessing child pornography, and an additional 40 counts for the intent to distribute child pornography.

“This is an unprecedented case in our county in which a former elected official has been accused of a crime of this nature,” State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy said in a statement.

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“We elect leaders with the expectation that they will serve, protect, and advocate for our children, families, and communities and not harm them in anyway. The charges contained in the indictment are serious, and we will continue to work with law enforcement to investigate and follow any new leads that may be uncovered.”

Wojahn was taken into custody earlier this month on allegations he had accessed and shared illegal content through the mobile messaging service Kik. Residents voiced their shock and embarrassment over Wojahn, who had served as College Park mayor since 2015.

“I have cooperated fully, and will continue to cooperate, with law enforcement,” Wojahn wrote after his arrest. “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.”

Wojahn is married to an employee of Hubbard Radio Washington D.C., which owns ������Ƶapp.

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Patrick Wojahn, who recently resigned as mayor of College Park, Maryland, was ordered held without bond on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography.

A Prince George’s County judge denied bond for the 47-year-old during a hearing Monday morning, meaning he will stay behind bars until his case is resolved, ������Ƶapp’s John Domen reported from the scene.

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Prince George’s County police arrested Wojahn on March 2. He is charged with 40 counts of possession of child exploitative materials and 16 counts of distribution of child exploitative material.

During the 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. About a dozen people were in the courtroom in support of Wojahn.

Assistant Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Jessica Garth did not agree, arguing the videos uncovered by police were extremely graphic and calling the videos and photos he downloaded a “memorialization of sexual abuse.”

Outside the courtroom Monday, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy said that though she hadn’t viewed the images herself, she’d read the charging documents which describe their contents.

“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.

She added, “Anyone who accesses child pornography is a danger to our community. Our young people deserve to be respected, cared for and protected.”

Braveboy said her office will seek to hold accountable “anyone, regardless of their station in life, who we believe have committed harmful acts against our children.”

After the judge decided to hold Wojahn without bond, his family was seen leaving the courtroom in tears.

Former College Park mayor Patrick Wojahn ordered held without bond. Family in tears leaving court. More details from the hearing to come today

— John Domen (@JDDsays)

“It’s probably heartbreaking for them,” Braveboy said of the family. “It’s heartbreaking for the city of College Park, and for all of our young people to know that people who are in a position of public trust were alleged to have accessed such images.”

The charges

Charging documents allege that Wojahn uploaded a variety of illegal content to Kik, a mobile messaging app, using an anonymous account. The app notified the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Police searched Wojahn’s home on Feb. 28 and seized multiple cellphones, a storage device, a tablet and a computer.

After his arrest, Chief of Police Malik Aziz said Thursday the investigation into Wojahn was still in its early stages, and that further charges were possible.

Wojahn resigned from his position on Wednesday night; he had served as mayor since 2015 and prior to that was on the city council.

“I have cooperated fully, and will continue to cooperate, with law enforcement,” Wojahn wrote in a letter of resignation. “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 is being held at a county correctional facility.

Wojahn is married to an employee of Hubbard Radio Washington D.C., which owns ������Ƶapp.

������Ƶapp’s John Domen and Jose Umana contributed to this report.

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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, according to .

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

According to charging documents, police allege Wojahn used an anonymous account to upload a variety of illegal content to Kik, a mobile messaging app, in early to mid January. Kik then notified the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Using records subpoenaed from internet service providers, police said investigators traced the account to Wojahn. Police carried out a search warrant at his home on Feb. 28, seizing 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 a county correctional facility.

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.”

The City of College Park said it was “shocked and disturbed” by allegations against the now-former mayor.

“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,” it added.

Area residents reacted to the news with surprise and embarrassment. Speaking to ������Ƶapp’s Scott Gelman outside City Hall, College Park resident Drake Allen said he was shocked by the allegations, adding that it is a sign the city was headed in the wrong direction.

“I don’t know if this is going to wake anybody up. It should, but it probably won’t,” Allen said, adding that he wishes the city’s next leader be “just a regular mayor who does his job.”

Resident Michael Weaver, who’s lived in College Park for 20 years, said a friend texted him about the news and couldn’t believe it.

“It’s kind of embarrassing,” Weaver said. “It’s terrible.”

At a news conference Thursday afternoon, Chief of Police Malik Aziz said the investigation into Wojahn was still in its early stages, and further charges were possible.

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.

“Today has been a very difficult day for the residents, staff and elected officials of College Park. Like the rest of the community, we are shocked and disturbed by the arrest and charges filed against the former mayor,” Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell said at an emergency community meeting held Thursday night.

“As this is an ongoing and active investigation, the city will respect the judicial process and cooperate fully with the investigation. While we continue to process everything that has happened today, city services and work cannot and will not stop. It is vital for our community and our residents to know the city services will continue to operate uninterrupted.”

During that meeting, members of the council voted to remove Wojahn from all boards and committees of which he was appointed to.

Wojahn is married to an employee of Hubbard Radio Washington D.C., which owns ������Ƶapp.

������Ƶapp’s Alejandro Alvarez, Scott Gelman and Ciara Wells contributed to this report.

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“It certainly is a momentous occasion,” said College Park Mayor Patrick Wojahn, who attended the event with his husband, Dave Kolesar.

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“I think there’s a little bit of a ‘pinch me, I’m dreaming’ aspect to it,” Kolesar, who is ������Ƶapp’s senior broadcast engineer, said about being present to see history being made.

The couple has been a part of the fight for marriage equality in Maryland since 2004 when they were named plaintiffs in a lawsuit seeking to overturn a ban on gay marriage in the state. A judge originally ruled in their favor, before an appeals court overturned the ruling.

Kolesar said when they initially joined the lawsuit they were greeted by skepticism from family, friends, acquaintances and even members of the gay rights movement who questioned if it was too soon to fight for marriage quality.

“Part of the task that we saw when we first joined the lawsuit was to frame the debate, because I guess you could say the Overton window was in a totally different place than where it is now,” Kolesar said.

The two later wed in 2011 in D.C., when Maryland said out-of-state marriages would be recognized. Months later, same-sex marriage was made legal in the state.

Both were excited to see a law which protects both same-sex and interracial marriages signed, though Wojahn said seeing this outcome after years of fighting seemed far from certain.

“There were many times when this outcome was in doubt, and we weren’t sure which way things were going to go,” Wojahn said.

Now after 18 years of fighting for this, they said attending the signing was gratifying.

“It feels like it’s a sort of a turning point and a crossroads, a moment where we’re really gonna look back in 20 years and remember this day, as a date that really signified something important in our history and the history of our country,” Wojahn said.

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College Park Mayor Patrick Wojahn said he plans to broach the issue with County Executive Angela Alsobrooks during a call with county and municipality officials on Wednesday.

“As much as it pains me to see our local businesses struggling like this, this is what we need to do to protect the lives and health and safety of our residents and the people who come to College Park,” said Wojahn.

Prince George’s County shut down indoor dining in mid-December and kept outdoor dining at 50% capacity. Restaurants can offer curbside service and takeout. The ban was upheld in court. Restrictions expire on Jan. 16.

“Right now, with numbers continuing to go up, we need to look at continuing that ban on indoor dining for a couple more weeks and at least until the trends start to turn around,” said Wojahn.

College Park, home to the University of Maryland College Park, is usually bustling with activity during the school year, but because of the pandemic, the university’s nearly 31,000 undergraduates have been studying remotely.

Wojahn said College Park is struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We took a hit of about 10% of our annual budget as a city in our revenue,” said Wojahn. “That totals about a $2 million hit with some other things we had to address. Our total budget is about $20 million, and that’s about 10%.”

The city’s losses came mostly from a dramatic drop in revenue from admissions and amusement taxes and hotel and motel taxes collected when people attend large events, such as sporting matches and concerts in College Park.

At this point, Wojahn said, it’s hard to say how much the city’s revenue will be down in 2021.

Wojahn said there is some relief the city can provide for businesses that are struggling through the continued restrictions. Also, the most recent COVID relief bill that passed by Congress offers more aid for local businesses.

“We put into place a relief program with the money we received through the CARES Act last year to provide up to $20,000 for businesses to help them get through these difficult times,” said Wojahn.

He said he’s hopeful that College Park can start to safely reopen in the next three to four months to begin transitioning back into normal life.

“I think it all depends on how successful the vaccine is,” said Wojahn. “How well it’s rolled out, how comfortable people feel once the vaccine is out there.”

He anticipates people will start with small socially distanced events and going to back to restaurants and then go back to larger events, such as Parents Weekend at the University of Maryland in the summer.

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One by one, Wojahn handed out certificates to various departments, recognizing their “team work, efforts and bravery” as an audience at City Hall cheered and applauded.

Those recognized included officials from Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Howard and Montgomery counties, as well as agencies from D.C. and the University of Maryland.

“It really showed that we live in a great region, and that as a region we are able to work together,” said Wojahn. “This incident could have resulted in much greater damage.”

More than 300 firefighters, EMTs and support personnel responded when the five-alarm fire broke out on April 24 at the Fuse 47 apartment building, which had been under construction.

It took more than six hours to control the fire and then several days to completely extinguish it.

The investigation is ongoing, but the to be accidental, officials said.

“Fire investigators conducted numerous interviews with construction workers that were in the area where the fire started,” said Prince George’s County Fire Department spokesman Mark Brady. “That has led them to believe that the cause is going to be accidental.”

Damage to Fuse 47 was extensive, and it will need to be rebuilt.

Sprinkler systems were installed but not yet connected, and fire doors designed to block a fire from spreading had not yet been put in place. The building was slated to have 250 apartments, retail stores and a parking garage and was scheduled for occupancy in July 2017.

The incident drew the largest fire response in the history of Prince George’s County and caused an estimated $39 million in damage — the most significant the county has ever seen.[related_gallery align=”none”]

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