The criminal case against Mercer County High School teacher Mark Artcher has been pushed to December 2nd. Artcher’s attorney—Katherine Drummond asked for the continuance during a brief pre-trial conference Tuesday morning in Mercer County Circuit Court. She says additional time is needed to review discovery in the case. The 60 year old 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. The charges allege three different victims under the age of 13. Artcher remains free on $100,000 bond and was placed on leave by the school district last April. Class X felonies are punishable by a term of 6-to-30 years in prison while Class 2 felonies carry a prison term of 3-to-7 years upon conviction.
