Female LAUSD Teacher Arrested On Suspicion Of Having Sex With 2 Students

MONTEBELLO (CBS) — Police Thursday announced the arrest of a female Roosevelt High School Spanish teacher on suspicion of having sex with two students -- the latest of several sexual scandals to bedevil the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Gabriela Cortez, 42, was booked on suspicion of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, said Montebello police Lt. Luis Lopez. She was released after posting $140,000 bail and was scheduled to be arraigned Friday.

The alleged crimes occurred in Montebello, where the suspect lives, Lopez said.

The investigation began on Feb. 15, when authorities were contacted "by a victim of an alleged sexual relationship involving him and a teacher," Lopez said, adding that the man wanted to get things "off his chest."

"The female adult suspect is a teacher at Roosevelt High School in the Los Angeles Unified School District," Lopez said. "Although the victim was a student at the time of the alleged crime, he is now an adult."

The investigation triggered by the first alleged victim led to a "second victim" who "provided information regarding a sexual relationship involving him and the suspect," Lopez said, adding that he, too, is now an adult.

Anyone with information about the case was urged to contact Montebello police Detective Andrade at (323) 887-1255.

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