EMPORIUM — Charges against two Elk County men accused of illegally entering an Emporium-area home were bound over to court by Magisterial District Judge Barry Brown.

Michael Paul Knepp, 40, of Dagus Mines, and Matthew John Meholic, 26, of St. Marys, are two of three men alleged to have entered into the home on Old West Creek Road in Shippen Township to collect on a past debt owed by one of the residents. The identity of the third man remains unknown at this time.

A victim, who stated he owes $425 to one of the men but told the individual he was not welcome in his home, was reportedly in his bed recovering from a hospital stay when the men allegedly entered the home and threatened bodily harm upon residents if the money was not repaid.

Police documents also state that St. Marys police provided them with Meholic’s phone number so that Emporium officers could contact the alleged perpetrator. When the number was called, Knepp allegedly answered the phone and related to officers that he had been with Meholic when they confronted and threatened the victim over the debt, according to police. Knepp later allegedly told police the men knocked on the door and entered without being invited.

Preliminary hearings were held for the two men Thursday. Charges of felony burglary, simple assault and harassment were bound over for Meholic, who saw a charge of felony criminal trespass dismissed. Knepp will face all the original charges, of felony burglary, felony criminal trespass, simple assault and harassment, in the Cameron County Court of Common Pleas.

Formal arraignments for Meholic and Knepp are scheduled for 9 a.m. April 18 in front of Judge Richard Masson at the county courthouse.