Muffles College Counsellor Charged with Sexual Assault

Hayden Mendez, a 31-year-old school counsellor, has been charged with sexual assault and encouraging child pornography following a police investigation into allegations involving a 17-year-old female student. Mendez appeared in court on Monday and was granted bail, according to ASP Stacy Smith.

“The investigation began when officers came across a screenshot circulating on social media, which suggested explicit conduct between this individual and a student,” Smith said.

She said investigators then visited the school, informed its administration of their findings, contacted the student and the student’s parent, and involved the Human Services Department.

“A number of statements were recorded, a number of items of exhibits were retrieved, and as a consequence of that investigation, the charges as stated were laid,” Smith said.

Smith said the alleged incidents spanned 2025 and 2026. She described the allegations as a “breach of trust,” noting that Mendez was an adult the student had come into contact with at school.

Police are also conducting a separate investigation into how the school administration handled the matter. Smith said police had been advised that the allegation was brought to the administration’s attention and that the school was investigating it. Police are reviewing whether the necessary actions were taken.

Investigators do not know whether there are other alleged victims. Smith encouraged anyone who may have experienced similar incidents to contact police so the matter can be investigated.