Surrey school support worker charged with sex crimes

A empty hallway is seen in a stock photo. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

A support worker at a Surrey secondary school has been charged with sexual assault and exploitation of a youth, according to authorities.

Henry Roger Lorteau is alleged to have “entered a relationship with the youth upon meeting the youth while providing supports at a local area high school,” the Surrey Police Service said in a news release.

Lorteau was charged with one count of sexual assault and two counts of sexual exploitation – offences alleged to have occurred in 2024. He has been released on bail and is next due in court May 23, police said.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to call the SPS at 604-599-0502.

The Surrey school district, in an emailed statement, said the “incident” involved a former student at Kwantlen Park Secondary and that Lorteau has been on leave since last October.

“Upon being alerted, the district reported this incident immediately to the RCMP and removed the employee from the school,” a spokesperson wrote.

“The student and their family were immediately connected – and remain connected - to supports through Surrey Schools.”