OREGON, Mo. — A trial for an Atchison County teacher and coach will be delayed as attorneys battle over pending motions regarding sexual misconduct allegations.

Lee A. Rucker, 34, is charged with the felonies of first-degree child molestation and sexual misconduct involving a child younger than 14 and a misdemeanor charge of furnishing pornographic material to a minor. Mr. Rucker is a teacher and coach from Tarkio, Mo.

On Wednesday at the Holt County Courthouse, Circuit Judge Roger Prokes reset the trial from mid-March to late July. The delay, he said, is due to the granting of a continuance on defense motions and for health reasons concerning Mr. Rucker’s attorney, Patrick Peters of Kansas City.

Mr. Rucker was teaching physical education in the Tarkio R-1 School District at the time the allegations surfaced last summer. He also served as athletic director and was coaching girls and boys basketball at the middle school and high school levels.

Pre-trial motions will be reviewed July 8. The case was moved to Holt County on a change of venue requested by the defense.

School administrators placed Mr. Rucker on leave after his arrest pending an outcome to the case. He remains free on bond, but has no access to students or district property. He has no prior criminal record.

Ray Scherer can be reached at rscherer@npgco.com.