Lincoln man accused of posing as high school student is facing additional charges

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The man accused of posing as a Lincoln high school student is facing additional felony charges.

Prosecutors initially charged 26-year-old Zachary Scheich with sex trafficking of a minor and two counts of child enticement with electronic communication.

He pleaded not guilty to those charges in August.

But, according to court documents filed Wednesday, Scheich is now facing six more felony charges, which include first-degree sexual assault of a child and first-degree sexual assault.

At a court hearing Thursday, Lancaster County District Judge Darla Ideus raised Scheich’s bond to $500,000.

Scheich, who went under the pseudonym Zak Hess, posed as a student at two high schools last semester, Assistant Police Chief Brian Jackson said in July.

In an arrest affidavit, Officer Ben Pflanz wrote that Scheich messaged female students and, in one instance, asked for “pornographic material.”

If convicted, Scheich could spend life in prison.  His next court appearance is Sept. 28.