Retired NYPD Officer Arrested Over Threat Against Florida Commissioner
Authorities say Mienert, 68, posted “off with his head!” beneath a Facebook post criticizing county Commissioner Brian Scott after he backed a planning change allowing the North Pinellas mosque to expand. The comment also called Scott a “Republican turncoat.” The sheriff’s office said investigators traced the account’s internet address to Mienert, who confirmed it was his.
The account’s profile image showed Bugs Bunny holding a revolver, and its bio included an insulting reference to liberals. Another post on the account urged people not to vote for Scott because he had voted for the mosque. Mienert told investigators he was outspoken about political issues and considered Scott a turncoat because of the vote.
Mienert also attended an October 27 county commission meeting where residents discussed the proposed expansion. He said the mosque’s growing footprint could harm the environment and worsen traffic.
He was charged with one felony count of making a written or electronic threat to kill, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in Florida. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said threats against an elected official over a land-use vote would be strictly enforced. Mienert, who retired as an NYPD sergeant after 22 years, remained in the Pinellas County Jail and was scheduled to appear in court on November 3.
Threat Against Mosque Supporter Draws Felony Arrest
A threat to behead Pinellas County Commissioner Brian Scott followed his support for a land-use change allowing a local mosque to expand. Authorities say retired NYPD sergeant Rodolfo Mienert, 68, wrote “off with his head!” on Facebook and called Scott a “Republican turncoat.”
The case puts a violent threat against an elected official in the middle of a dispute over a mosque. Mienert’s account also urged voters not to support Scott because he voted for the expansion. Investigators traced the account’s internet address to Mienert, who confirmed it was his and said he was outspoken about political issues.
At an October 27 county commission meeting, Mienert said the mosque’s larger footprint could harm the environment and worsen traffic. Those concerns do not excuse a threat against a commissioner for casting a vote on a land-use issue.
Mienert was charged with one felony count of making a written or electronic threat to kill, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said authorities would strictly enforce the law against threats of this nature. Mienert remained jailed and was scheduled to appear in court on November 3.
Facebook Threat Over Mosque Vote Leads to Felony Charge
A heated local fight over a mosque expansion has led to a felony arrest after a Facebook comment threatened Pinellas County Commissioner Brian Scott. Authorities say Rodolfo Mienert, a 68-year-old retired NYPD sergeant, wrote “off with his head!” and called Scott a “Republican turncoat” over his vote.
Mienert’s account also posted a message urging people not to vote for Scott because he supported the mosque. Investigators traced the account to Mienert, who confirmed it was his. He said he was outspoken on political issues and objected to Scott’s vote.
The dispute was already being debated at a county commission meeting on October 27. Mienert told attendees he feared the expansion would harm the environment and worsen traffic. Those objections are part of the local land-use controversy; the arrest now centers on whether his online words crossed into a criminal threat.
Mienert faces one felony count of making a written or electronic threat to kill, carrying a maximum 15-year sentence in Florida. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said threats against a commissioner would be strictly enforced. Mienert remained in jail and was due in court on November 3.
Reported by Fox News, New York Post.
