Patrick Wojahn, the mayor of College Park, Maryland, was arrested on Thursday and charged with possession of child pornography one day after he resigned from his position.
The Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) said in a statement that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified them on Feb. 17 that a social media account operating in the county possessed and distributed suspected child pornography.
Investigators were able to track the account back to Wojahn. They executed a search warrant at his home on Feb. 28 where they seized multiple cell phones, a storage device, a tablet and a computer.
Wojhan was arrested early Thursday morning and charged with 40 counts of possession of child exploitative material and 16 counts of distribution of child exploitative material.
Wojhan, who had been serving as mayor of College Park since 2015, resigned from the post on Wednesday, one day before 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,” he said in a statement. “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.”
In a separate statement the city said effective immediately, Denise Mitchell will serve as Mayor Pro Tem and presiding officer until a special election is held.