Man arrested over Facebook threat to commissioner

Rodolfo Mienert, 68, was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on Monday. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested him following a threatening comment he posted on social media. The comment called for the execution of Pinellas County Commissioner Brian Scott.

Detectives initiated the investigation after receiving a report on Sunday. A user posted a comment on a local media outlet's Facebook page. The original post criticized Scott's decision to approve a mosque expansion. Mienert's response read: 'But Scott's WAS, and he's a Republican' turncoat..off with his head!'

Investigators traced the IP address associated with the social media account to Mienert. Officers contacted him at his home in West Lealman. Mienert confirmed that the account was his. He told detectives that he had recently attended a Board of County Commissioners meeting. A woman wearing full Islamic attire was escorted out of that session.

Mienert described himself as 'very vocal and not afraid to share his opinion' on political matters. He explained that he labeled Scott a 'turncoat' because the commissioner identifies as a Republican. Scott voted in favor of the mosque expansion project. Mienert previously served as a sergeant with the New York City Police Department for 22 years before retiring.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri addressed the incident in a statement. He said that threatening to cut off the head of a county commissioner because of his vote on a land issue is intolerable. Gualtieri added that the department will strictly enforce the law against anyone who makes threats of this nature.

The sheriff's office has provided a contact number for anyone with information about similar threats. Residents can call 727-582-6200 or submit details through FortifyFL. Mienert remained in custody at the Pinellas County Jail following his arrest.