Government wants former Joplin teacher to remain behind bars

Documents filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri indicate the government wants to see former Joplin South Middle School science teacher Charles Dominic Gastel remain behind bars while he awaits trial on a charge of sexual exploitation of minors.

After a five-minute hearing this morning in Springfield, a federal public defender was appointed for Gastel, 39, and the next hearing in the case was scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, August 1, in Springfield.

Gastel had resigned his position in the Joplin R-8 School District at the end of the 2012-2013 school year and had reportedly taken a job at another school district. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education records indicate Gastel has passed a PRAXIS test last month which would have enabled him to have taught high school social studies.

The affidavit detailing Gastel's alleged crimes can be found at this link.