Former Maryland Mayor, LGBTQ Advocate, Sentenced After Conviction in Disturbing Child Pornography Case


A former mayor from Maryland and prominent LGBTQ activist, convicted in a deeply troubling child pornography case earlier this year, received a 30-year prison sentence on Monday.

Patrick Wojahn, who stepped down as College Park's mayor before his arrest, admitted guilt to 140 charges tied to child pornography as part of a legal agreement, resulting in a 150-year sentence, with 120 years suspended, leaving him eligible for parole in 7.5 years under state law, The Washington Post stated. 

This conviction stemmed from the discovery of an account using his government email address to distribute illegal images.

During an emotional court hearing, where prosecutors read victim impact statements for hours, Prince George's County Circuit Court Judge Karen Mason acknowledged Wojahn's apparent remorse and acceptance of responsibility.

Officials revealed that the 48-year-old shared numerous explicit photos and videos depicting child sexual abuse on social media platforms, including the assault of young boys by adults. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified authorities about this activity, sparking an investigation.

After tracing a social media handle, "skippy_md," back to Wojahn, investigators uncovered connections between Wojahn's College Park email, his phone number, home IP address, and the account, alleging that he used a virtual private network to hide his online location. 

Further illicit images were found on Telegram, another social media app.

Court records unveiled Wojahn's indictment on multiple counts related to possessing and distributing child pornography. He pleaded guilty to numerous charges, involving the exploitation of 52 child victims, some now adults, as identified by law enforcement agencies.

Victim impact statements presented in court recounted ongoing struggles, including extreme anxiety, sleep disturbances, trust issues, and relocation due to being exposed as victims of online exploitation.

Considering Wojahn's history of sexual abuse as a victim himself, along with testimonials supporting his public service, the judge opted to send him to Patuxent Institution, a treatment-focused maximum-security prison in Maryland.

Apologizing in court, Wojahn acknowledged the harm caused and expressed a desire for redemption, addressing both the community and his husband.

Wojahn, a strong LGBTQ advocate and a Georgetown University Law School graduate, had a significant career in public service, serving on the College Park City Council for eight years before becoming mayor in 2015, a position he held for seven years until his resignation earlier this year.

 

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