Shocking Deception Unmasks Elaborate School Enrollment Scheme
In a disturbing case of educational fraud and sexual predation, a Nebraska woman has been charged with helping a convicted sex offender infiltrate a local high school by posing as his mother, enabling him to sexually assault multiple teenage girls.
Angela Navarro, 23, faces misdemeanor charges of criminal impersonation and child abuse for her alleged role in Zachary Scheich’s systematic deception of Lincoln Public Schools. Scheich, 27, was previously sentenced to 85 to 120 years in prison for sexually assaulting multiple students.
Prosecutors revealed that Scheich’s calculated plan involved elaborate fabrication. In October 2022, he enrolled in the school under the false identity of “Zak Hess,” a 17-year-old student, complete with fraudulent documentation.
Fabricated identity exposed
According to law enforcement, Scheich submitted meticulously crafted fake documents, including:
- A fabricated birth certificate
- Counterfeit immunization records
- Fictitious school transcripts
“This individual provided a birth certificate, a high school transcript, immunization records and a physical from a clinic, and it turns out all those appear to be fraudulent,” said Matt Larson, associate superintendent for educational services at Lincoln Public Schools.
Criminal actions detailed
During his 54-day infiltration, Scheich committed heinous acts, including attempting to meet a 13-year-old girl for sexual purposes and soliciting nude photographs by offering money.
Assistant Chief Brian Jackson described the investigation’s progression: “He attended school as a student, he attended classes. And as the investigation progressed, we learned of additional contacts he had with juvenile students.”
School officials acknowledged a critical vulnerability in their enrollment process. “The documents are not verified. We take students’ words for these documents,” Larson candidly admitted, revealing potential systemic weaknesses in student verification.
Legal consequences
Scheich has already pleaded no contest to multiple charges, including:
- First-degree sexual assault
- Child enticement using a communication device
- Generation of child pornography
Navarro, who confessed to meeting with a school counselor while impersonating “Danielle Hess,” faces potential penalties of up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine on each count. Her sentencing is scheduled for January.
The case raises significant concerns about school safety protocols and the potential for sexual predators to exploit institutional trust and documentation processes.