Man Charged with Threatening a Public Official Following Disturbance at Alton City Council
Council meeting disturbance leads to three criminal charges.
ALTON — An Alton man faces two felony counts of threatening a public official after police said he made statements about killing politicians and police officers following a disturbance at an Alton City Council meeting Oct. 28, 2026.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
Daniel L. Mertz, 46, was charged Oct. 30 after the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case, according to the Alton Police Department.
On Friday, October 30, 2026, the Madison County State's Attorney's Office reviewed the facts of the case and authorized the issuance of a Criminal Information charging Mertz with:
• Count I — Threatening a Public Official (Class 3 Felony)
• Count II — Threatening a Public Official (Class 3 Felony)
• Count III — Disorderly Conduct.
A Madison County judge signed an arrest warrant and ordered Mertz remanded to the Madison County Jail.
He also faces a count of disorderly conduct.
As a precautionary follow-up, detectives contacted a residence associated with Mertz and, with the consent of the lawful occupant, recovered several firearms and assorted ammunition.
Alton Police Lt. Andrew Pierson, chief of detectives, said the department’s priority was protecting residents’ ability to participate in local government.
“Citizens have every right to speak and to disagree,” Pierson said. “What we will not allow is conduct that shuts down a public meeting, intimidates the residents who came to be heard, or threatens violence against public officials, police officers, and/or their families. That crosses a line from speech into criminal conduct.”
Officers assigned to the council meeting responded to a disturbance about 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28, 2026, in the main lobby of Alton City Hall, 101 E. Third St. The council chambers were filled to capacity, with additional residents standing in the doorway and lobby to participate in the proceedings.
Police said Mertz became loud and disruptive, continued after an officer asked him to lower his voice and directed an obscene gesture toward a resident who asked him to be quiet so she and others could hear the meeting.
Officers directed Mertz to leave and escorted him outside. Police said he continued yelling at officers and residents and made a statement referencing killing politicians and police officers. Officers then took him into custody.
Mertz physically pulled away from officers as they escorted him to a patrol vehicle, police said. During transport, he made additional statements describing violence against police officers and their families, according to the department.
He was booked at the Alton Police Department and held pending a detention request. After prosecutors authorized two Class 3 felony counts of threatening a public official and the disorderly conduct count, a Madison County judge signed an arrest warrant and ordered him held at the Madison County Jail.
As a precautionary follow-up, detectives contacted a residence associated with Mertz and recovered several firearms and assorted ammunition with the lawful occupant’s consent, police said.
The investigation remains open. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Alton Police Department at 618-463-3505.
Mertz is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
More like this:
- Most Popular
- Top Stories
- Most Recent
