A Columbiana County man, unhappy with the state of the economy, is in trouble for allegedly threatening the life of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for a second time.

Anthony Kelly of East Palestine will celebrate his 34th birthday on Saturday awaiting a court appearance on a charge of telecommunications harassment.

Kelly entered a "not guilty" plea to the charge filed against him earlier this month after investigators for the Ohio State Highway Patrol said he sent a threat directed at the governor using the state’s official website.

According to a complaint, the email implied that someone would be waiting to catch the governor off guard, and they would hang DeWine.

Investigators say that Kelly admitted to sending the email, claiming he did not receive a response from previous emails. He told the trooper that he felt the latest email would grab DeWine’s attention and improve his chances of getting a response.

Kelly isn’t a novice when it comes to this kind of crime.  The complaint says Kelly sent a death threat to the governor in 2020.

According to Franklin County Municipal Court Records, Kelly pleaded guilty to menacing and was fined $100.

In the latest case, Kelly faces a pre-trial hearing in August.

A judge has ordered that Kelly have no contact with the governor or any other public official unless there is an emergency.

Anthony Kelly reached out to WFMJ News and said, "It was not a threat against the governor. I just wanted to talk with the governor."