Nebraska Teacher Faces 20 Years for Relationship with Recent Graduate, Testing State's '90-Day Rule'
LINCOLN, Neb. — A young Nebraska educator is confronting a potential 20-year prison sentence following his arrest for an alleged intimate relationship with an 18-year-old woman that commenced just weeks after she received her high school diploma. The case is putting a spotlight on Nebraska's unique law that extends ethical boundaries for school officials well beyond graduation day.
Cody Pester, 26, a sixth-grade teacher and high school wrestling coach in the Palmyra area, was taken into custody last week and charged with sexual abuse by a school official. According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, the relationship began with text exchanges on the very day of the woman's graduation in May 2025 and turned intimate by mid-July.
"He estimated that the two engaged in sexual contact ... six times in July, 2025," the affidavit states, based on Pester's own statements to Lancaster County detectives after he waived his right against self-incrimination.
While the age of consent in Nebraska is 16, state statute §28-322.05 explicitly prohibits school employees from having sexual contact with a student, defining a "student" as anyone enrolled at or having left the school system within the preceding 90 days. This "90-day rule" creates a cooling-off period far longer than most other states, which typically see the educator-student relationship dissolve upon graduation.
"This law exists to prevent the exploitation of power dynamics that don't magically disappear with a diploma," said legal analyst Dr. Evelyn Reed, who studies education ethics. "The question for the court will be whether this was a predatory abuse of authority or a tragically timed personal connection."
The school district moved swiftly upon learning of the investigation, removing Pester from all teaching and coaching duties. In a letter to parents, officials emphasized their full cooperation with law enforcement.
Pester was released after posting $10,000 of a $100,000 bond. His attorney has not yet commented publicly, and a plea has not been entered. A court appearance is scheduled for March.
Community Reaction
The case has sparked heated debate locally and online about ethics, power, and the limits of legal oversight.
"He was her coach. That trust doesn't expire in 60 days. This is a clear abuse of position, and the law is right to treat it as such," said Mark Thompson, a parent of two in the district. His tone was sharp and unyielding.
"It's a terrible situation for everyone involved. He's a young teacher; she's a legal adult. The punishment seems incredibly severe for what might have been a personal misjudgment," noted Sarah Chen, a local community college counselor.
"The law is the law, even if it feels harsh. Its purpose is to protect vulnerable students from influence, and that protection needs a buffer zone," reflected retired principal David Miller.
If convicted, Pester faces a maximum sentence of 20 years, a penalty that underscores the seriousness with which Nebraska treats such violations. The case proceeds as the community grapples with the complex intersection of legality, morality, and the lasting shadow of the classroom.