26-year-old teacher Cody Pester has been charged with sexual abuse by a school official after authorities allege he entered an intimate relationship with a former Palmyra High School student shortly after her graduation. According to an affidavit, texts began on May 10 (her graduation day) and the pair began a relationship on July 18, 2025; investigators say intimate encounters occurred several times in July and August. Pester was arrested Jan. 26, waived his Miranda rights, was released on a $10,000 bond, and faces up to 20 years if convicted. His next court date is scheduled for March.
Nebraska Teacher, 26, Charged With Sexual Abuse After Relationship With Recent High School Graduate
Cody PesterLancaster County Department of Corrections
Lincoln, Neb. — A 26-year-old Nebraska teacher, identified in court records as Cody Pester, has been charged with sexual abuse by a school official after investigators say he entered an intimate relationship with a former student shortly after her high school graduation.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, Pester taught sixth grade and served as a high school wrestling coach. The affidavit says the two began exchanging text messages on May 10 — the same day the student graduated from Palmyra High School — and that they mutually agreed to begin an intimate relationship on July 18, 2025.
Allegations and Investigation
The affidavit states Lancaster County investigators were notified of an allegation of sexual abuse by a school worker on Dec. 29, 2025. Investigators interviewed the woman less than a month later, on Jan. 23, and she told detectives she and Pester had intimate encounters "on several occasions during the month of July, 2025 and August, 2025."
"They agreed to be in an intimate relationship two months after she graduated," the affidavit says, and quotes Pester estimating the two had sexual contact about six times in July 2025.
Arrest, Charges and Next Steps
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant and took Pester into custody on Jan. 26. He was read his Miranda rights and, according to the affidavit, waived his right against self-incrimination and acknowledged the relationship. Pester was booked and charged with sexual abuse by a school official, a felony that carries a potential maximum sentence of up to 20 years if he is convicted at trial.
At his initial court appearance, a judge set bail at $100,000; court records show Pester was released after posting a $10,000 bond. He has not yet entered a plea and his next court date is scheduled for March.
School And Legal Context
The local school district notified parents that Pester had been "immediately removed ... from all classroom and extracurricular duties" and that officials were cooperating with law enforcement. Nebraska law, like laws in most states, prohibits sexual relationships between teachers and students. Nebraska statute is stricter in one respect: it bars sexual conduct between a teacher and a student for 90 days after the student leaves or graduates from the school system.
The charges and all allegations are accusations; Pester is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. His attorney did not respond to requests for comment.
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