Former Teacher Charged with Assault Out on Bond

LONGVIEW — A former Longview ISD teacher and UIL coach, charged with sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child, is out of jail on bond. Robert Craig Varnell of Diana was released from the Gregg County Jail on bond November 14. According to court documents, a 16-year-old boy told authorities Varnell had inappropriate physical contact with him numerous times from August 31, 2007, to May 3, both at Varnell�s home and the boy�s home.

The improper relationship reportedly started when the boy was 13 and Varnell was employed by LeTourneau University�s computer science department, according to court records. At the time of his arrest, Varnell was a teacher and co-UIL coordinator at Longview High School. He resigned following his arrest.