Nebraska
Pint-sized Nebraska predator Zachary Scheich, 27, sentenced to decades in prison for sexually assaulting students while posing as high school classmate
A pint-sized 27-year-old sicko who posed as a teenager and sexually assaulted high school students sat stonefaced in a Nebraska courtroom when he learned he would spend the rest of his life behind bars for his sex crimes.
For 54 days in 2023, Zachary Scheich “blended in with other students” when he pretended to be 17-year-old “Zak Hess” and attended classes at Southeast High School in Lincoln, Neb. where he committed the vile predatory attacks.
Scheich was sentenced on Wednesday to 85 to 120 years in prison for the felonies he faced including two counts of child enticement with electronic communication device, two counts of first-degree sexual assault/forcible touching, and an attempt of class two felony.
Nebraska high school students was sentenced to 120 years in prison. Lincoln Police
He originally faced nine felony charges, but were reduced as part of a plea deal in July.
The pedophile is eligible for parole in 41 years. Judge Darla Ideus gave Scheich credit for 419 days served.
“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,” Ideus said 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.”
Scheich devised a plan to enroll in the high school where he created a fraudulent birth certificate, immunization records and an “elaborate backstory,” according to the outlet.
He sought the help of his accomplice, 23-year-old Angela Navarro, to pose as his mother as he enrolled into Lincoln Northwest High School before transferring to Southeast where he asked for “pornographic material” from female student.
Between February and March 2023, Scheich sent sexually explicit messages to both a 13 and 14-year-old student.
He also tried to get the 13-year-old to meet up with him for sex, and even sent her money encouraging her to send nude pictures to him, KETV reported, citing an arrest affidavit.
Scheich was arrested on July 20, 2023 at a local library after police received a tip of an alleged impersonator posing as “Zak Hess” who had contacted female students by phone or computers.
The 5-foot-4, 120-pound monster, who graduated from Southeast High in 2015, reportedly cost the Lincoln Public Schools $6,000.
The district faced questions about how a man in his mid-20s managed to enroll in the first place following last year’s arrest.
Schools security chief Joe Wright said the minimum requirements for enrolling in a public high school are a birth certificate, immunization records and transcripts.
At the sentencing, Deputy County Attorney Amber Scholte described Scheich as “the worst kind of predator.”
“He targeted, groomed and lured them via social media,” Scholte said. “He did so under the guise of being their peer, their friend, and in some cases, their boyfriend. And he did so for his own sexual purpose and gratification.”
Navarro, who has acted under the pseudonym Danielle Hess, was arrested and charged with criminal impersonation.
She pleaded not guilty to the charge in April and was released from jail on a $450 bail.
Nebraska
Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture proposes ban on food and beverages containing any amount of THC
LINCOLN, Neb. — A public hearing Thursday drew strong opposition to proposed rules that would label food adulterated and illegal if it contains any amount of THC and its derivatives, potentially decimating Nebraska’s hemp and CBD industry.
The regulations would affect products like gummies, beverages and oral tinctures. Over 490 people wrote in opposition to the new regulations, while only three supported them.
The rule changes stem from an executive order issued by Gov. Jim Pillen in January requiring state agencies to review laws regarding the use of synthetic THC in food and beverages. The order was made to align with federal law coming in November 2026, which bans synthetic THC products and limits total THC concentrations in hemp products to not exceed 0.4 milligrams per container.
The proposed Nebraska rule goes beyond that federal standard.
“I would say it’d be similar other than it does say no THC. It is zero THC,” said Andrew Bish, chief operating officer of Bish Enterprises. “It’s not we are deferring to the federal government standard and aligning with the federal government standard. It is, in fact, a different standard.”
Fifteen speakers testified during the hearing, with many calling for the Department of Agriculture to regulate the industry rather than enforce outright bans.
“I respectfully urge the department to pursue a balanced science-based approach that protects public safety, targets specific problems, strengths and standards where necessary and holds bad actors accountable without unnecessarily eliminating access to products that may Nebraskans find valuable and beneficial,” said Dr. Andrea Holmes, a professor of chemistry at Doane University.
Many who testified were shop owners who said the regulations would result in major business losses and reduced state revenue.
“In 2025, we pay over $1 million in sales tax. We expect to be over $1.3 million in 2026,” one speaker from The Cannabis Factory said. “We’re not opposed to regulation, or oversight, or even additional taxation.”
The Department of Agriculture will review comments and decide if any changes need to be made. If not, the regulations go to the attorney general and the governor for approval.
The regulations include a carve out for the medical cannabis acts, meaning people with medical cannabis cards could get prescriptions that would not be affected by this proposed regulation change.
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Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said Thursday that he has asked President Donald Trump to issue a major disaster declaration for damage caused by storms that hit the state May 15-18.
The storms spawned tornadoes and flash flooding across Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Thayer and Thurston counties. There were numerous downed power poles and lines as well as extensive damage to schools, building and roadways. Damage just to public infrastructure is estimated at nearly $5 million.
In addition to the disaster declaration request, Pillen said he also has requested access to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides funding to governments to allow them to rebuild in ways that will reduce or mitigate future disaster losses. Approval would allow the state to apply for such grants.
Thursday’s disaster declaration request is the second in two months. Back in May, Pillen requested one for historic wildfires in March that impacted Arthur, Garden, Grant, Lincoln and Morill counties. At the time of the request, it was estimated there was at least $9.7 million in damage from the fires, which were the worst in Nebraska’s history.
Nebraska
Bandits back in the win column with tournament-opening victory in Nebraska – East Idaho News
OMAHA, Neb. – The Bandits opened the Omaha, Nebraska tournament with a 7-4 win over Fremont.
The Bandits, coming off two losses to Billings at last week’s Bandits Invitational, trailed 4-3 in the fifth, but tied it up on a sac fly by Cole Croft.
They scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth for the win.
Carter Bowen finished 3 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Conner Cannon and Taye Lords each knocked in two runs for Idaho Falls (10-2).
Tyson Christenson picked up the win with four innings of relief.
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