Missouri man arrested in Florida for allegedly sending threatening online statements to governor
ST. CHARLES, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A 42-year-old St. Charles man is under arrested after allegedly sending threatening online messages to Gov. Mike Kehoe and members of his family over Facebook.
On Dec. 16, 2025, the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control was notified of threatening and harassing statements posted online and directed toward Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe and members of his family.
DDCC investigators identified several threatening Facebook posts under a profile name of “Danny Mertz," that were comments were posted between Dec. 1, 2025, and Dec. 18, 2025.
Following an investigation, DDCC investigators, working in coordination with the Missouri Information and Analysis Center, identified 42-year-old Daniel N. Mertz, of St. Charles, Missouri, as the owner of the social media account. Through investigative leads and analysis, investigators developed probable cause linking Mertz to the threatening online posts.
On Dec. 19, 2025, Cole County Prosecuting Attorney Locke Thompson formally charged Mertz with one count of Stalking, first-degree, and one count of Harassment, first degree. Both charges are class E felonies and resulted in a nationwide arrest warrant being issued.
Operation Relentless Pursuit officers coordinated with the Daytona Beach Police Department to locate Mertz in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Dec. 19, where he was taken into custody by Florida authorities without incident. At the time of his arrest, Mertz was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm.
Mertz is currently being held in the Volusia County Jail without bond. Missouri authorities have initiated the extradition process, and Mertz will be transported back to Missouri for arraignment proceedings.
