Former mayor accused of exploiting Filipino boys ordered to stay in jail
In the fall of 2022, a mayor in suburban Maryland wrote out his prep and packing list for a trip to the Philippines. Much was standard: renew passport, reserve hotel, order sunglasses. And part of it was not: bondage gear, pantyhose and tiny underwear sized for children.
The details, as alleged in court Friday by federal prosecutors, are central to new accusations against Joel Biermann, 46, who has been locked up since his arrest on child pornography charges seven months ago. The charges stunned the citizens of University Park, a town of about 2,500 residents just outside Washington, where Biermann served as mayor from 2022 until last year and had a top campaign priority of 'protecting our children.'
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