Female Teacher, 38, Caught in Van With Boy, 16 - Jennifer Espinosa

Yet another married, mother of two, middle-aged teacher is caught with an underage boy. That part's not news. What is news is that the boy in question is also--according to police--a gang member and had been expelled from school. And the fact that the cops found the boy with Jennifer Espinosa, 38, after following her Honda Pilot and noticing the smell of marijuana coming from it. When the pulled it over they found Espinosa, the boy and a 22-year-old man that they also suspect of being a gang member. Oh, and a bunch of weed.

At that point Espinosa did the right thing and refused to answer any further questions. No, just kidding: she sang like a bird to officers and admitted having sex numerous times with the underage boy in both her Pilot and at her home. Yeah, someone's going to prison for a long time. At right, Jennifer Espinosa's mug shot picture. She looks sad.

Espinosa told police she “loves” the 16-year-old boy, who was expelled from Maine East in September and is a known Sureno 13 gang member, the release said. Espinosa was taken in for questioning by Sheriff’s police on Saturday night near the Golf Terrace Apartments, on the 9600 block of North Golf Terrace, after police smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from behind Espinosa’s 2009 Honda Pilot, the release said.

As police curbed the car and noticed the windows were rolled down, they noticed one person moving quickly to a back seat. All people in the car were ordered out and Espinosa immediately told police she was a Maine East teacher, the release said.

Officer recognized the 16-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man as known gang members. Police searched the car and recovered a bag of suspected marijuana. Alejandro Landi, 22, of Niles, was charged with misdemeanor drug possession.

Upon questioning of the suspects in the vehicle, Espinosa told investigators she was a teacher and mentor to the boy unti he was expelled. She said their relationship began after his expulsion, the release said. Police said they told them they have had sex numerous times, in her Park Ridge home and in her car at various locations around the high school.

Maine East teacher charged with having sex with former student [Chicago Sun Times]