Two major criminal cases have been continued to next year in Mercer County Circuit Court. The case against Mercer County High School teacher Mark Artcher has been moved to January 20th. His attorney indicated this morning she needs more time for discovery. Artcher was arrested in late April and faces a Class X felony of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and two Class 2 felonies of aggravated criminal sexual abuse–involving three victims under the age of 13. The other case involves James Eric Haley of Viola. He faces 16 felony counts stemming from a child porn investigation involving a 15 year old girl. The case has been continued to Feb. 3 in Mercer County Circuit Court, but State’s Attorney Meeghan Lee indicated this morning that the federal prosecutor’s office is reviewing the matter and it could be moved to U.S. District Court.
