South Lake Tahoe fire captain accused of having child pornography resigns
The South Lake Tahoe fire captain accused of receiving child pornography has resigned, according to South Lake Tahoe city officials Wednesday.
Former Fire Captain Mark Wygant, 44, was taken into custody on Jan. 29 as a result of a federal criminal investigation. Immediately following Wygant’s arrest, the city of South Lake Tahoe initiated its required independent investigation under the Firefighter’s Procedural Bill of Rights, AB 220, and notified Wygant’s attorney of the same.
Mr. Wygant’s attorney was notified that the City’s internal investigation was complete Tuesday. Following further conversations, Wygant elected to resign, terminating his paid administrative leave status, said South Lake Tahoe public information officer Tracy Franklin.
His resignation does not involve any financial settlement from the City. At close of business Wednesday, Wygant is no longer a City employee and is no longer on City payroll, said Franklin in a news release.
Wygant remains in federal custody. Therefore, any further inquiries are to be directed to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office Eastern District of California, Wygant faces a federal felony charge of receiving child pornography. He appeared in the federal courthouse in Sacramento on Friday afternoon and remains in custody, said attorney's office spokeswoman Lauren Horwood. Wygant's next court date is Feb. 13.