Well Known Dem Gets 30 Years For Child Images

(ProsperNews.net) – A prominent Maryland Democrat has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for possession of indecent images of children. Police arrested Patrick Wojahn, who served as Mayor of College Park in the Old Line State, in March and charged him with 140 counts of child pornography possession and distribution. He pleaded guilty on all counts.

Authorities began investigating Mr. Wojahn in February when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children tipped off police that someone was distributing child pornography in the Prince George County area.

Aisha N. Braveboy, the state’s attorney in George County, said she was pleased that Wojahn accepted responsibility for his crimes, adding, “Our children are both precious and vulnerable, deserving of the utmost protection. The tragedy of them being preyed upon in cases like this cannot be understood.”

Wojahn agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors and received a 150-year sentence with a 120-year suspension. Under Maryland law, however, he will be eligible for parole after seven years.

Assistant State Attorney Monica Myers read out details of the horrific crimes during the court hearing and said the images found in Mr. Wojahn’s possession included those of very young children, including infants. Some of them were bound and injured. Myers noted that many people see image possession as a victimless crime and forget that real children are featured in those images. She said victims endure a life sentence of trauma.

Mr. Wojahn kickstarted his political career in 2007 when he won a seat on the College Park City Council, which includes the state’s flagship University of Maryland. He became Mayor in 2015 and resigned in March 2023 when the criminal proceedings were initiated. City officials said they were “shocked and disturbed” to learn the details of the arrest and charges and encouraged residents to “seek any help they feel necessary” as a result of the “distressing” news.

The former Mayor apologized in court and said he recognized the damage he had done.