A Nebraska man is no longer teaching sixth graders in Palmyra this week after his recent arrest on a single charge of suspected sexual abuse by a school employee. Us Weekly confirmed
Cody Pester26, was arrested on Monday, January 26, after police say he turned himself in to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office.
Pester allegedly sexually abused a former student he said he met at local sporting events, according to a police statement issued Tuesday, Jan. 27.
Pester had been a teacher at Palmyra Junior-Senior High School, Us Weekly confirmed The victim is now 18, according to police.
Unfortunately for Pester, when he began communicating with the teenager in May 2025, she was still only 17 and quickly approaching her high school graduation.
pester, Us Weekly she has learned, she has also worked as a girls’ wrestling coach.
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It was unclear whether Pester, who lives in Lincoln, ever had the alleged victim in this case as a student in his class.
A report about the alleged abuse was initially sent to the Department of Health and Human Services, detailing what was described as a possible “relationship” between a teacher and a student.
Investigators began investigating and eventually discovered that more than 13,000 text messages had been sent between Pester and the teenager, and that many of them were “sexual in nature.”
Police later learned that Pester first raped the minor girl in July 2025.
Nebraska law prohibits any school employee from engaging in any type of sexual activity or contact with a student who is enrolled at that employee’s school or who has been enrolled within the past three months.
Nebraska police said they are interested in speaking with any other victims Pester may have or anyone with information relevant to their ongoing investigation. Those people can contact the sheriff’s office at (402) 441-6500.
A former Kansas high school art teacher accused of grooming and having illegal sex with an underage student will stand trial on four felony charges, a judge ruled this week. Nicole Hernandez, 30, appeared in court on Tuesday, December 2 after being charged with four counts of illicit sexual relations with a student, KAKE.com (…)
Superintendent of Palmyra Michael Hart sent a note home to parents addressed to Pester’s address, noting that the educator had been fired.
“The safety and well-being of our students remains our highest priority,” Hart’s letter said. “Upon learning of the allegations, the district immediately removed Pester from all extracurricular and classroom duties.”
Hart said counseling and support services will be available to all students at the high school. He also encouraged families in the district to contact school administrators with any lingering concerns or questions they may have.
“While this situation is deeply troubling, it is also important to remember that this is an active investigation and we must allow the legal process to continue,” Hart wrote in his letter.
Pester was scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, Jan. 28, but it was unclear at press time if he was required to enter a statement.
If you suspect child abuse, call Childhelp National’s Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit ChildHelp.org. All calls are free and confidential, and the hotline is available 24 hours a day in over 170 languages.