Photo: Lincoln Police Department
A 27-year-old Nebraska man will be spending decades in prison for impersonating a high school student and sexually assaulting numerous underage girls. Zachary Scheich was arrested in July 2023 after attending 54 days of classes at two high schools by posing as 17-year-old Zak Hess.
School officials began investigating Scheich in June 2023 after they learned about his true identity. During the investigation, they also discovered that he was sexually assaulting underage students at both schools.
"He targeted, groomed, and lured them via social media," Deputy County Attorney Amber Scholte said. "He did so under the guise of being their peer, their friend, and, in some cases, their boyfriend. And he did so for his own sexual purpose and gratification."
Scheich pleaded no contest to multiple counts of sexual assault and was sentenced to 85 to 120 years in prison. He is eligible for parole in 40 years and will have to register as a sex offender if he is released from jail.
Police also arrested 23-year-old Angela Navarro, who is accused of pretending to be Zak's mother, Danielle, and helping Scheich enroll in school. She has pleaded not guilty to a criminal impersonation charge.