COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A former western Iowa high school teacher has been arrested and charged on suspicion of having sex with one of his students. Council Bluffs police say 56-year-old Mark Mendell, of Crescent, was arrested Thursday at his home on two charges of sexual exploitation by a school employee. Police say an investigation that began last month revealed a sexual relationship between Mendell while he was Abraham Lincoln High School’s band teacher and a 17-year-old student.

Mendell (Photo courtesy Council Bluffs PD)

Officials say Mendell is no longer employed by the school, and the student is no longer attending classes after having met all graduation requirements.

The age of sexual consent in Iowa is 16, but state law prohibits school employees from having any sexual contact with students.