26-year-old enrolled in high school for 54 days, cops say. He’s convicted of sex crimes

A man who was 26 when he lied about his age to enroll in high school will now spend decades in prison, according to Nebraska reports.

Zachary Scheich, now 27, was enrolled in two Lincoln, Nebraska, high schools for a total of 54 days during the 2022-23 school year, city officials previously said.

During that time, he had “sexually explicit conversations” with 13- and 14-year-old students, KHGI reported, citing court documents.

Officials said Scheich, who was 5 feet, 4 inches and 120 pounds, “blended in with other students” as he pretended to be 17.

He was arrested following the completion of the school year when Lincoln Public Schools learned someone may have been impersonating a student under the name of Zak Hess, police said.

His nine felony charges were later reduced as part of a plea deal, KOLN reported. Scheich pleaded no contest to child enticement, generation of child porn, attempted first-degree sexual assault and two counts of first-degree sexual assault.

Scheich was sentenced Sept. 11 to 85 to 120 years in prison, KLKN reported. He will be eligible for parole in 41 years, according to the station.

“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 Darla Ideus during the sentencing, KOLN reported. “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.”

Angela Navarro, who authorities say pretended to be Scheich’s mother to help him enroll in high school, was arrested in September 2023, KFXL reported.

Navarro, 22, pleaded not guilty to her charges and was due in court Sept. 12, according to KLKN.