Cole County’s prosecutor in Jefferson City has filed felony stalking and harassment charges against a St. Charles man accused of making numerous threats against Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe and his family on Facebook.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s two-page probable cause statement against 42-year-old Daniel Mertz of St. Charles outlines the alleged threats, which are disturbing. While the court documents say the threats are against “an elected official and their family”, the Highway Patrol’s news release confirms the threats are against Governor Kehoe and his family.
One post mentions the elected official’s “death wish” and makes a rambling statement about the official’s “affiliates” trying to kill his livestock. There are also alleged posts about the Governor’s family members getting hit with a baseball bat.
State troopers say Mertz made the Facebook posts between December 1 and December 18. Mertz has been captured in Daytona Beach Florida and is currently jailed without bond in the Volusia County jail.
It’s unclear whether Mertz will fight or waive extradition back to Missouri. If he fights extradition, that will delay the process and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis would have to sign paperwork so Mertz can be returned to Missouri.