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.

26-year-old Zachary Scheich (Courtesy Lincoln Police)

He used the pseudonym Zak Hess.

During an investigation that began on June 1, police discovered his true identity.

“I’ve been in the district for 10 years, and this is the first time that I can remember something like this happening,” said Lincoln Public Schools Director of Security Joe Wright.

Scheich, who is 5-foot-4 and 120 pounds, graduated from LPS 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.

Wright said the minimal requirements for enrolling in a public high school are a birth certificate, immunization records and transcripts.

Police say Scheich provided false documentation.

Wright said state law prohibits the district from adding further requirements.

“I don’t foresee any changes because of the requirements that we have to educate all kids,” he said. “But obviously, something like this makes us look to where we could go. We’ve just started that process.”

Jackson said the parents at both schools have been notified.

Police said there is a list of suspected victims who still have to be interviewed, and there could be more that haven’t been identified.

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.