University Park: Former mayor accused of possessing child sexual abuse material

A former mayor of University Park was charged with 28 counts related to child sex abuse material after authorities searched his home Monday, online court records show.

The Baltimore Sun reported that the investigation by state and federal authorities began while Joel Biermann, 46, was still mayor of the small town in Prince George’s County. His successor took office in June, after the city’s elections.

Biermann is accused of exchanging inappropriate Facebook messages in which he “was observed soliciting sexually explicit material from underage boys” between January 2021 and December 2023, according to charging documents.

Biermann was ordered held without bail at the Prince George’s County Detention Center on Wednesday, according to court records, which say he is represented by a public defender. An email seeking comment was sent to the Maryland Office of the Public Defender.

The former mayor of neighboring College Park pleaded guilty last year to more than 100 charges related to the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material. That was him sentenced to 30 years in prison.