A retired New York City police officer living in Florida was arrested on November 2, 2026, after authorities said he made a social media threat against a Pinellas County commissioner. Rodolfo Mienert, 68, allegedly called for the beheading of Commissioner Brian Scott after Scott voted to approve a local mosque expansion. Investigators traced the online account to Mienert, who acknowledged making the post. He faces one felony count related to a written or electronic threat to kill.
The alleged threat followed a public dispute over a land-use proposal in Pinellas County. Mienert had spoken against the project at a commission meeting days before his arrest, citing concerns about traffic and environmental effects.
| 1) | The arrest and alleged threat |
|---|---|
| 2) | The social media post and investigation |
| 3) | The mosque expansion dispute |
| 4) | The suspect’s background and statements |
| 5) | Charges, official response and next steps |
The arrest and alleged threat
Authorities arrested Rodolfo Mienert in Pinellas County on Monday, November 2, after investigating an online comment directed at Commissioner Brian Scott. The alleged threat came after Scott supported a land-use change allowing the expansion of a mosque in the county. Investigators treated the language as a criminal threat because it referred to cutting off the elected official’s head.
The arrest occurred in Florida, where Mienert now lives after retiring from the New York City Police Department. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail and remained there in records reviewed after the arrest. The case centers on whether his written words constituted a legally actionable threat against a public official.
“Threatening to cut off the head of a county commissioner because of his vote on a land issue is intolerable and we will strictly enforce the law against anyone who makes threats of this nature,” Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said.
The social media post and investigation
The alleged comment appeared beneath a Facebook post criticizing Brian Scott for backing the mosque expansion. Investigators said the account used the name “Rudy MineAllmine” and described Scott as a “Republican turncoat” before adding the words “off with his head!” The account’s profile included an image of Bugs Bunny holding a revolver and a political statement in its biography.
Detectives traced the account’s internet address to Mienert. During questioning, he confirmed that the account belonged to him and said he was outspoken about political issues. Investigators also reviewed a post from the account that reposted a campaign video featuring Scott with a warning not to vote for him because he had voted for a mosque.
The mosque expansion dispute
The online confrontation followed a Pinellas County Commission meeting on October 27, 2026. Residents discussed a proposal that would permit the North Pinellas mosque to expand, and Mienert was among those who opposed the commission’s decision. Scott voted in favor of the land-use change.
During the meeting, Mienert argued that the mosque’s growing footprint could harm the environment and worsen traffic. He also said he had left New York for Florida, describing the state as beautiful while criticizing the proposed development. The public meeting provided the immediate political context for the later social media post, but the criminal case concerns the alleged threat rather than the land-use decision itself.
The suspect’s background and statements
Rodolfo Mienert retired from the New York City Police Department after 22 years and held the rank of sergeant. He now resides in St. Petersburg, Florida. His prior law-enforcement career and his participation in the commission meeting were noted during the investigation.
Mienert told detectives that he was not afraid to express his opinions on political matters. He said he used the term “turncoat” because of Scott’s vote on the mosque proposal. Authorities allege that the subsequent wording about beheading crossed the line from political criticism into a threat prohibited by Florida law.
Charges, official response and next steps
Mienert was charged with one felony count involving a written or electronic threat to kill. The offense carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison in Florida. The charge remains an allegation, and the case must proceed through the courts before guilt can be established.
Mienert was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon, November 3. At that stage, the available information did not indicate that the alleged threat had led to physical violence. The investigation was based on the social media account, its connection to Mienert, his statements to detectives and the timing of the post after the commission vote.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A retired NYPD sergeant was arrested in Pinellas County on November 2, 2026. |
| 2 | The alleged threat followed a vote approving a mosque expansion. |
| 3 | Investigators linked the social media account to Mienert through its internet address. |
| 4 | He faces a felony charge carrying a potential maximum sentence of 15 years. |
Summary
The arrest followed a series of events beginning with a contentious Pinellas County land-use decision and ending with an alleged online threat against a commissioner. Investigators say the account belonged to Rodolfo Mienert, who had publicly opposed the mosque expansion and acknowledged making political comments about the vote. The court process will determine whether the post meets the legal standard for a written or electronic threat to kill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested?
Rodolfo Mienert, a 68-year-old retired NYPD sergeant who lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, was arrested.
What prompted the arrest?
Authorities say Mienert posted a comment calling for Commissioner Brian Scott to be beheaded after Scott voted to approve a mosque expansion.
What charge does he face?
He faces one felony count involving a written or electronic threat to kill, an offense that carries a maximum possible sentence of 15 years in Florida.
When was the mosque expansion discussed?
The Pinellas County Commission discussed the proposal during a meeting on October 27, 2026, several days before Mienert’s arrest.
