Bond has been set at $100,000 for Mercer County High School teacher Mark Artcher. He made his initial court appearance this morning. The 60 year old Aledo man is facing two Class X felony counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child stemming from incidents in March and April involving two children under the age of 13. Assistant Mercer County State’s Attorney Matt Voigts was seeking a $500,000 bond while Artcher’s attorney—Katherine Drummond of Rock Island argued for $100,000. Judge Richard Zimmer settled on the lower figure. A preliminary hearing is set for May 13th in Mercer County Circuit Court. Voigts indicated in court this morning that the defendant attempted suicide prior to his arrest last week and that there could be additional victims in the case. Class X felonies are punishable by 6-to-30 years in prison upon conviction. Artcher was placed on leave by the Mercer County School District last week. The age of the victims cited in the complaint would mean they are not old enough to be students at Mercer County High School, where Artcher taught social studies.
UPDATE: Artcher posted 10-percent of the $100,000 bond and was released from the Mercer County Jail Monday afternoon.
