
By CAT MURPHY
The former mayor of University Park was arrested Monday on nearly 30 charges related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Court records show that Joel Biermann, who served as the town’s mayor until earlier this year, faces 22 misdemeanor counts of CSAM possession and six felony counts related to solicitation and distribution.
Biermann appeared in court Wednesday and is being held without bond pending his Nov. 27 preliminary hearing.
Town officials said the FBI executed a search warrant at Biermann’s residence on Oct. 28.
“We understand that Mr. Biermann has now been arrested by the FBI on child pornography charges,” Town Administrator Debi Sandlin said in an email statement to the Hyattsville Life & Times Thursday. “These are serious charges, and the Town is ready to assist as requested.”
Biermann, 46, was mayor from June 2022 to June 2024.
He lost his reelection bid to the town’s current mayor, Laurie Morrissey, in May. Biermann, who received less than 5% of the vote, had campaigned for reelection on the promise of “protecting our children.”
He previously served a two-year term on the University Park Town Council.
“He no longer has an official position with the Town,” Sandlin said. “He is a private citizen, and the Town has no contact with him and cannot comment on his activities.”
Gov. Wes Moore appointed Biermann to a five-year term on the Maryland Veterans Home Commission last July.
Biermann’s arrest comes less than a year after the former mayor of neighboring College Park, Patrick Wojahn, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material.