JACKSON TEACHER CHARGED IN SEX CRIMES RELEASED AFTER POSTING BOND

JACKSON, Mo. -- A junior high school teacher charged in sex crimes involving a student was released from custody after posting his bond Monday.

Thomas Mark Sprandel, 37, posted a portion of his $100,000 bond shortly after 1 p.m.

His next court date has not been set pending the assignment of a new judge to hear his case after Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp withdrew from handling the case.

Sprandel, a math teacher at R.O. Hawkins Junior High School, was charged with two counts of statutory sodomy and first-degree child endangerment.

The charges came as a surprise to Jackson school superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson, who said he first learned about Sprandel's arrest Saturday morning from a phone call. Anderson had been out of town visiting relatives.

Sprandel will be represented in court by Cape Girardeau attorney Al Lowes.