A man from Lincoln, Nebraska who pretended to be a student at two local high schools was sentenced on Wednesday.
Judge Darla Ideus handed 27-year-old Zachary Scheich a prison term of 85 to 120 years. He will not qualify for parole for at least 40 years and is required to register as a sex offender under Nebraska law.
According to court documents, Scheich attended 54 days of school in which prosecutors said he sexually assaulted multiple children and cost the district more than $6,000. Scheich created false documents and an “elaborate backstory” to pass himself off as a 17-year-old student.
In July 2023, authorities arrested Scheich after discovering he had been posing as a student at Lincoln Northwest and Lincoln Southeast High Schools and was engaged in inappropriate relationships with students. Although the crimes took place off school property, investigators stated that they occurred while Scheich was attending the two LPS high schools during the 2022-2023 school year under the alias of 17-year-old "Zak Hess."
In July 2024, Scheich entered a no-contest plea to charges of child enticement using electronic communication, production of child pornography involving a minor aged 19 or older, attempted first-degree sexual assault, and two counts of first-degree sexual assault. Initially facing nine felony charges, the counts were reduced through a plea agreement.
At the sentencing, Deputy County Attorney Amber Scholte described Scheich as a "predator of the worst kind." Scholte explained that he "targeted, groomed, and lured" his victims through social media, pretending to be their peer, friend, and sometimes even their boyfriend, all for his own sexual gratification.
“They knew not to speak with an adult male on social media. They knew not to meet an adult male by themselves, they knew how to defend themselves against that kind of danger,” Judge Ideus said during the sentencing. “They did not know how to protect themselves against you. Because again, they thought you were their peer. Their friend. And because you gained their trust.”
Police also arrested 23-year-old Angela Navarro in September 2023, suspecting her involvement in helping Scheich enroll in Lincoln Public Schools. According to her arrest affidavit, Navarro posed as 'Danielle Hess,' claiming to be Zak’s mother, and collaborated with school officials to ensure Scheich's enrollment.
When authorities uncovered his false identity, they contacted Navarro on June 1, 2023, but she continued to defend their fabricated identities. Navarro has pleaded not guilty to a class III felony charge of criminal impersonation exceeding $5,000.
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