Probable cause found to hold a Keithsburg man over for trial on a solicitation of murder for hire charge. 47-year-old Kevin Hockenberry appeared in Mercer County Circuit Court Monday morning for a preliminary hearing. He has pleaded not guilty to the Class X felony count. Hockenberry is accused of trying to pay someone $10,000 to kill former Mercer County State’s Attorney Meeghan Lee. A pre-trial conference is set for Dec. 14 in that case and several other criminal matters.
Hockenberry has been in custody at the Mercer County Jail awaiting trial on a Class 3 felony of sexual relations within families. The charge is in connection with an alleged incident that occurred in April of 2019. He is also facing felony charges in two other cases including perjury and false reporting as well as two misdemeanor counts of violating an order of protection.
Bond on the solicitation of murder for hire charge is set at $500,000.
