A Joy man facing five felony charges of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child has had his preliminary hearing continued for the second time.
38-year-old Eric Thirtyacre appeared in Mercer County Circuit Court on Monday, where he asked for a continuance so he could hire an attorney. A judge granted the continuance over the prosecution’s objection.
Thirtyacre will return to court on Dec. 30.
Thirtyacre is charged with five Class X felony counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under the age of 13. He was arrested in October.
Thirtyacre remains in custody at the Mercer County Jail.