The criminal case against former Mercer County High School teacher Mark Artcher has been pushed to this summer. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for next Monday, but it has now been reset for July 21st. An administrative order was filed back in March by Chief Judge Frank Fuhr aimed at reducing the congregation of large numbers of persons at courthouses. That order also forced postponement of his April pre-trial. The 61-year-old Artcher was arrested in April of last year 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. 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.
