LEXINGTON, MO. ? The commandant of cadets at Wentworth Military Academy was fired Wednesday, a day after he was charged with using the Internet to arrange a sexual encounter with a minor girl, school officials said.

Michael A. Kirby, 49, of Lexington, was charged Tuesday in Livingston County Associate Circuit Court with attempted statutory rape in the first degree and attempted statutory sodomy in the first degree.

He had been responsible for the discipline of cadets before he was fired Wednesday, said Maj. Gen. John H. Little.

Kirby is being held in the Livingston County jail on a $25,000 cash only bond. He is to appear in court today.