PULASKI -- A former Wythe County teacher accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a female student reached a plea deal with prosecutors today that requires him to perform 100 hours of community service work in lieu of jail time.

Jason Andrew Hounshell of Wytheville had been scheduled to be tried by a jury today in Pulaski County Circuit Court on two charges of taking indecent liberties with a minor. Through the plea agreement, one charge was dropped and the second was reduced to contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

A judge suspended a 12-month jail sentence and ordered the community service work and that Hounshell have no contact with the girl until she is 18 years old.

Hounshell was charged Sept. 12 and resigned from his job at Fort Chiswell High School that night. The charges stemmed from incidents that occurred in July, when the girl was 16, authorities have said. The investigation started after someone at Fort Chiswell High School went to the school resource officer with concerns about Hounshell and the girl.