DUBOIS: A DuBois resident is facing criminal charges following allegations that he made threatening remarks online targeting a former city official.

Justin Michael Heffner, 40, has been formally charged with harassment, a third-degree misdemeanor, in connection to social media comments allegedly directed at former DuBois City Manager John “Herm” Suplizio. The charge was filed on August 29 by the Pennsylvania State Police in DuBois, according to a criminal complaint submitted to District Judge David S. Meholick’s office.

The investigation began on August 8 after Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan Sayers received a letter accompanied by screenshots from a relative of Suplizio. These materials reportedly showed Facebook comments made by Heffner in a public group, one of which allegedly read, “Can someone just take him out,” in reference to Suplizio.

State police confirmed observing the comment on Facebook, dated August 3 at 2:25 p.m. A second comment, which had reportedly been deleted before police reviewed the post, was also submitted as a screenshot but did not include a timestamp.

On August 20, investigators interviewed Suplizio, who said he was made aware of the posts by a family member. Suplizio stated he interpreted the comment as a potential threat to his safety, suggesting it could be construed as a call to violent action. He expressed concern due to recent incidents of political violence, emphasizing that the posts made him feel personally endangered.

Five days later, on August 25, police interviewed Heffner, who allegedly acknowledged that he had authored the comments in question.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Friday, September 20 at 10:45 a.m. before Judge Meholick.