LINCOLN, Neb. – A 27-year-old man who impersonated a teenage student and attended two high schools for 54 days received a lengthy sentence last week for sexually assaulting more than a dozen students.
Authorities say Zachary Scheich posed as 17-year-old Zak Hess and re-enrolled at Lincoln Southeast High School, which he graduated from in 2015, reports WFLA News. He also enrolled at Lincoln Northwest High School.
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Prosecutors say he targeted, groomed, and lured multiple teen girls via social media. Some of his victims were as young as 13.
Because he is only 5 feet 4 inches tall and only weighs 120 pounds, he was able to blend in at both schools in 2022 and 2023, reports the Independent.
Scheich was convicted of sexual assault, child enticement with electronic communication, and generating sexually explicit images of children. He was sentenced to 85 to 120 years in prison, won’t be eligible for parole for 40 years, and will be required to register as a sex offender if he is released from prison, reports KOLN.
Scheich Used Fake Documents to Enroll in 2 High Schools
He was arrested in July 23 after some parents of his victims grew suspicious of him and after school officials discovered his real identity.
The district found out that Scheich used a fake birth certificate, immunization records, transcripts, and medical records to be admitted to the two high schools. When he stopped attending class, his truancy reports were sent to a fake address that he had provided.
The district said it will review its enrollment process.
Angela Navarro, 23, was also arrested for posing as Scheich’s mother to help him enroll in school, reports 1011Now. She pled not guilty to criminal impersonation, claiming she was manipulated by Scheich, reports USA Today.