CLARION: A Clarion man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after investigators concluded he fabricated a series of stalking and harassment allegations against a woman to conceal a mutual relationship he wished to end.

According to court documents, Pennsylvania State Police in Clarion charged 40-year-old Mark McKissick Dehner, of Clarion, following an extensive investigation. The criminal complaint, filed February 8, 2026, lists the following offenses:

• Intimidation of a Witness or Victim – False or Misleading Testimony (Felony 3)
• Criminal Use of a Communication Facility (Felony 3)
• False Report – Falsely Incriminating Another (Misdemeanor 2)
• Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence (Misdemeanor 2)
• Obstruction of the Administration of Law or Other Governmental Function (Misdemeanor 2)

Investigators say Dehner reported being stalked and harassed by a woman from July through October 2025, providing police with 137 images, as well as videos and journal entries, to support his claims. He alleged the woman followed him around Clarion Borough, including to local bars, and even asked police to “scare” her into stopping, according to the criminal complaint.

However, state police determined that the contact between the two was largely mutual. Evidence provided by the woman indicated that Dehner initiated communication in roughly 82 percent of interactions during a two‑week period in October. Investigators allege that Dehner used encrypted messaging apps to continue a secret relationship with her, while portraying himself to his wife as the target of a stalker.

Court documents further allege that Dehner instructed the woman on what to say in messages to strengthen his false narrative, even going so far as to suggest she include specific phrases to make the situation appear more threatening. He also reportedly offered to pay her fines if she pleaded guilty to a summary harassment charge to bring the situation to a close.

Although Dehner told police he had issued a certified cease‑and‑desist letter to the woman and her husband, investigators say he privately contacted her with instructions to destroy the letter so they could remain in contact.

During an interview on October 29, 2025, Dehner allegedly admitted that the woman had not stalked or harassed him, explaining that he involved law enforcement because he did not have the courage to end the relationship himself.

Dehner was released on $50,000 unsecured bail following his February 11^th arraignment before Magisterial District Judge Timothy P. Schill. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 3^th at 1:15 PM in Judge Schill’s office.