Former East Texas Teacher Accused of Child Sexual Assault is Back in Jail

Former Longview Independent School District teacher Robert Craig Varnell is back in jail after breaking the terms of his bond.

Gregg County prosecutors say the 56-year-old Varnell violated terms of his bond by contacting a former student, the alleged victim of sexual assault.

The former science teacher is accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with a 16-year-old boy on numerous occasions stemming from 2009 to May 2011 when he was arrested.

Varnell  is being held on $1.25 million bond , a hearing to lower his bond will be held Wednesday.

A trial date is set for Nov. 12 in Gregg County District Court.