KEVIN FOURNIER

LOCK HAVEN — A Jersey Shore man who was arrested and accused of attempting to hire a hitman to murder the Pine Creek Township Police Chief will be heading to trial.

According to information released by Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse’s office via Crimewatch, Kevin Scott Fournier, 46, of Delaware Avenue, was bound over on two charges — criminal solicitation to commit homicide of a police officer, a first degree felony and terroristic threats, a first degree misdemeanor, following a preliminary hearing on Jan. 12 in Central Court at the Clinton County Courthouse.

Sgt. Dennis Gill of the Pine Creek Township Police Department charged Fournier in September, alleging a murder for-hire scheme Fournier was arranging for his intended victim, police Chief Dave Winkelman.

Police allege that Fournier blamed Winkelman for the “life situation” he found himself in.

Chief Winkelman responded to and investigated a call from a local water authority in regards to Fournier having an illegal connection to the water line after the authority had shut off his water. At the time, Winkelman charged Fournier with theft of services.

Fournier’s next court date will be at the Clinton County Courthouse on Feb. 24 for his formal arraignment.