A 27-year-old Nebraska man who posed as a high school student for 54 days was sentenced to 85-115 years in prison.
Prosecutors say Zachary Scheich was 26 when he pretended to be a student at two Lincoln, Nebraska high schools last year. He lured more than 30 girls – some as young as 13 – and sexually assaulted them.
The judge imposed the harshest sentence because Scheich took advantage of girls who believed he was their peer.
“They knew not to speak with an adult male on social media. They knew not to meet an adult male by themselves,” said Lancaster County District Judge Darla Ideus before imposing sentence on Thursday. “Sir, 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.”
Judge Ideus sentenced Sheich to a minimum of 85 years in prison and a maximum of 120 years.
He is also required to register under Nebraska’s Sex Offender Act.
Scheich was arrested in July 2023 after several students came forward to report him. Police said he used falsified documents to register as a 17-year-old student at 2 Lincoln high schools.
Prosecutors say Sheich texted more than 30 students — some as young as 13. He sexually assaulted the students off school grounds.
A woman was also charged in the case. Police say Angela Navarro posed as Scheich’s mother to help him register for classes. She pleaded not guilty earlier this year, according to KETV News.
The prosecutor said Sheich is likely to re-offend if given a lighter sentence.
“He is a predator of the worst kind that preys on children,” said Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Amber Schlote. “He was, simply put, a master manipulator and predator,” she said.
Schlote thanked the young victims for coming forward to report Scheich to police.
“Because of your bravery the defendant was stopped and other innocent children have been spared the same fate,” she said. “For that, you are heroes.”
Sheich won’t be eligible for parole for more than 40 years.
