Maryland mayor resigns after being arrested on more than 50 child pornography charges

(Trends Wide) — Patrick Wojahn, the mayor of College Park, Maryland, has resigned after authorities arrested him on 56 counts related to child pornography, Prince George’s County Police Chief Malik Aziz said during a news conference Thursday with Jessica Garth. , representative of the State Attorney’s Office.

Wojahn is in custody at the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections and will soon meet with a commissioner who will make a determination on Wojahn’s “bail,” or whether he will be held or released before trial, Garth said. .

“If they don’t release him, he will see a judge. That hearing will most likely be tomorrow,” Garth added.

Wojahn sent a letter of resignation Wednesday night, and his resignation is effective Thursday, according to a city news release.

“Mayor Patrick L. Wojahn submitted his letter of resignation as mayor of the City of College Park, effective immediately March 2,” he said. “Mayor Wojahn has served in this position since 2015 and on the Council since 2007. The City of College Park thanks Mayor Wojahn for his many years of dedicated service.”

Mayor Pro Tem Denise Mitchell will serve the city in the interim, until a special election is held for another mayor, according to the statement.