PRINCE GEOREGE’S CO., Maryland. – The former mayor of University Park, Maryland, has been arrested on more than two dozen charges related to child sexual abuse material, according to documents released by the Prince George’s County Police Department.

Joel Biermann, 46, was charged with 22 counts of possession of child pornography and six other counts related to solicitation and distribution.

According to Prince George’s County Police, the FBI Baltimore Field Office notified them of an ongoing child pornography investigation in March 2024. In April 2024, the FBI subpoenaed Meta to disclose the records from Biermann’s Facebook account.

When reviewing his account, FBI agents found more than 4,500 chat messages between Biermann and an unknown subject living outside the United States, sent between January 2021 and December 2023. The unknown subject produced material sexually explicit involving prepubescent boys and sent them to Biermann in exchange. for payment.

According to charging documents, the FBI discovered that between January 2021 and March 2024, Biermann made six Paypal payments to the unknown suspect totaling $858. Some transactions came with notes indicating what the money was for, such as “shooting and rental location” and “for the camera and flip-flops.”

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Officers executed a search warrant at Biermann’s University Park home on October 28. They found several electronic devices containing child pornography. A search of the devices’ folders revealed approximately 45,000 files containing child pornography. A search of Biermann’s office also revealed other incriminating items, including a young boy’s underwear, according to charging documents.

Biermann was actively serving as mayor of University Park at the time he solicited the photos and videos of the unknown subject. He was elected in June 2022 and his term ended in June 2024. He was then appointed to the Maryland Veterans Home Commission in July 2024.

FOX 5 contacted the commission, which said Biermann no longer serves on the board.

“Mr. Biermann was appointed to the Veterans Home Commission in July 2024 and attended a meeting in a voluntary capacity. He has been removed from his position on the commission, effective immediately. The Department takes these allegations seriously and remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and will continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of the communities we serve,” the commission said in a statement.

University Park is located between College Park and Hyattsville in Prince George’s County. The city says its police department was not involved in the arrest, but has been informed of the FBI’s investigation and will continue to assist if necessary.