EMMETSBURG, Iowa — The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office said it has released details in three separate cases involving financial exploitation allegations, a prison sentence in a sexual abuse case and charges involving a minor.
In the most recent case, officials said Christopher Mertz, 39, of Lehigh Acres, Florida, was arrested Wednesday, Aug. 26, on a Palo Alto County warrant. The warrant charges him with financial exploitation of an older individual, first offense, and ongoing criminal conduct, both Class B felonies, according to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities said Mertz was moved from the Lee County Jail in Fort Myers, Florida, to the Palo Alto County Jail. He was being held on a $15 million cash-only bond while awaiting an initial appearance before a magistrate…