Schooling released without bond after sex charge arrest

RED OAK — A Red Oak man was released on his recognizance last week after his arrest on seven felony charges accusing him of molesting three children.

Mark Schooling, 46, was arrested Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at his residence in the 900 block of North Fourth Street on seven counts of lascivious acts with a child, a Class C felony.

After appearing before Magistrate James Branan, Schooling was released from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s custody without bail. He appeared in court March 2 where the charges were read to him, and he was assigned a public defender.

Montgomery County Prosecutor Bruce Swanson said the charges stem from an initial investigation by the Department of Human Services and the Red Oak Police Department.

According to court records, the crimes occurred on Jan. 20, Feb. 1, and Feb. 4. DHS was then contacted, and the investigation was turned over to the police, which conducted its first interview Feb. 17.

Swanson said the victims are identified as a 10-year-old female, an 8-year-old male, and a 6-year-old female.

During the initial court appearance, a preliminary hearing was set for March 22.