26-year-old man who posed as Lincoln high school student accused of sex crimes
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A man who posed as a student at two different Lincoln high schools has been arrested, police say.
Assistant Police Chief Brian Jackson said 26-year-old Zachary Scheich attended 54 days of class at Northwest and Southeast high schools last semester.
He used the pseudonym Zak Hess.
During an investigation that began on June 1, police discovered his true identity.
Scheich, who is 5-foot-4 and 120 pounds, graduated from Lincoln Public Schools in 2015. Jackson said he “blended in with other students.”
Scheich was arrested earlier Thursday at a library. He has been charged with two counts of sexual assault using an electronic device and sex trafficking a minor.
Jackson said the parents at both schools have been notified.
An investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call Lincoln Police at 402-441-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.
Lincoln Public Schools provided a timeline of the events in a letter to parents:
- Late in the afternoon on May 31, LPS received a report that an adult male may be attending one of our high schools pretending to be a junior. LPS Student Services and Security immediately contacted Lincoln Police to investigate.
- LPS Student Services and Security continued to assist the investigation, turning over information as it was discovered.
- In mid-July, LPD confirmed that 26-year-old Zachary Scheich did enroll and attend two LPS high schools during the 2022-23 school year under the name Zak Hess.
- Scheich began attending Northwest High School on October 20, 2022.
- Scheich then transferred to Southeast High School on January 12, 2023.
- Scheich was registered to attend summer school, but did not attend.
- On July 20, Lincoln Police arrested Zachary Scheich.
“In light of this incident, LPS is reviewing our enrollment procedures,” the district said.