UConn Staffer Apologizes After Threatening Reporter Over Alleged Drug Possession STORRS, CT — The University of Connecticut found itself at the center of controversy this week after a staff member, Jonathan “Jon” Mercer, was caught in a heated exchange with a student journalist over an alleged case of drugs found in his possession.The incident began when Alex Turner, a reporter for The Daily Husky, the university’s student-run newspaper, received an anonymous tip about an arrest involving Mercer. The source claimed that campus police had discovered a small bag of cocaine in Mercer’s office during a routine safety inspection. While details were still emerging, Turner pursued the lead, determined to uncover the truth.Turner sent Mercer an email requesting an interview, but the response was immediate and aggressive. Mercer reportedly called Turner within minutes, his voice sharp with anger. “Listen to me, kid,” he allegedly said. “If you run that story, I’ll ruin your life.”The veiled threat didn’t deter Turner. Instead, he recorded the conversation and brought it to his editor, who insisted on publishing an article about Mercer’s alleged drug possession, now with the added angle of intimidation against the press.Within hours of the story hitting The Daily Husky’s website, social media exploded with reactions. Some students expressed outrage over Mercer’s alleged behavior, while others questioned the validity of the accusations. UConn administration quickly issued a statement, acknowledging the situation but refusing to comment on personnel matters.Mercer, however, was not as reserved. At first, he denied everything, calling the allegations “complete fiction” and “a desperate attempt by an amateur journalist to make a name for himself.” However, as pressure mounted and the recording of his threatening call circulated online, Mercer changed his stance.“I deeply regret my words and the way I handled the situation,” he said in a public statement released through his attorney. “I allowed my frustration to get the best of me. I never intended to threaten or harm anyone, least of all a student journalist just trying to do his job.”Despite his apology, the damage was done. Protests erupted on campus, with student groups demanding Mercer’s resignation. The administration placed him on immediate leave pending an internal investigation, though rumors swirled that he would be quietly dismissed before the semester’s end.Turner, meanwhile, became an overnight sensation in the student journalism world. National media outlets picked up the story, praising his integrity and courage. Offers for internships flooded his inbox, and he suddenly found himself with a platform much larger than The Daily Husky.“I didn’t expect this kind of reaction,” Turner said in an interview with a local TV station. “I was just doing my job. The real story here is about accountability—whether you’re a student, a journalist, or a university employee, you have to be responsible for your actions.”As the investigation into Mercer’s conduct continued, one thing became clear: threats and intimidation have no place in journalism. And for Turner, this was only the beginning.
