The Mercer County High School teacher who was arrested last week for an alleged sexual assault of a child made his first appearance in court Monday.
60-year-old Mark R. Artcher of Aledo had his bond set at $100,000 after appearing in Mercer County Circuit Court with Judge Richard A. Zimmer.
Mercer County Assistant States Attorney Matt Voigts argued for $500,000 while Artcher’s attorney, Katherine Drummond asked for the $100,000 amount. As part of his bond, Artcher is to have no contact with minor victims or any minors at all, not allowed at any school where minors attend, and to check in to court services in person twice a week.
Artcher was originally charged with two counts of the class X felony predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, both charges indicate that the victim was under the age of 13.
In court filings Tuesday morning, the class X charges were amended to class 2 aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child under the age of 13. Additionally, a third charge of class X predatory criminal sexual assault was added.
He was arrested on Thursday afternoon at around 2:30 by Illinois State Police after he sought treatment at a local hospital and taken to the Mercer County Jail.
Artcher taught social studies at the high school before being dismissed Wednesday, after the school learned of the investigation against him.
He will be back in a Mercer County courtroom for a preliminary court appearance on the morning of Monday, May 13th.
