A Nebraska man is no longer teaching sixth grade students in Palmyra this week following his recent arrest on a single count of suspicion of sexual abuse by a school employee, Us Weekly confirmed.
Cody Pester, 26, was arrested on Monday, January 26, after police said he surrendered to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office.
Pester is alleged to have sexually abused a former student that he claimed to have met during local athletic events, according to a police statement issued on Tuesday, January 27.
Pester had been a teacher at Palmyra Junior-Senior High School, Us Weekly confirmed. The victim is now 18 years old, according to police.
Unfortunately for Pester, when he began communicating with the teen in May 2025, she was still only 17 years old — and fast approaching her high school graduation.
Pester, Us Weekly has learned, has also worked as a girl’s wrestling coach.
It was unclear if 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” involving a teacher and student.
Investigators started digging and eventually discovered that 13,000-plus text messages had been sent between Pester and the teenager and that many of them were “sexual in nature.”
Police would later learn Pester first raped the minor girl in July 2025.
Nebraska law bars any school employee from engaging in any sort of sexual activity or contact with a student who is either enrolled in that employee’s school or was enrolled within the past three months.
Police in Nebraska said they are interested in speaking with any other victims Pester may have, or anybody who may have information pertinent to their ongoing probe. Those people can contact the sheriff’s office at (402) 441-6500.
Palmyra Superintendent Michael Hart sent a note home to parents addressing Pester’s address, noting that the educator had been terminated.
“The safety and well-being of our students remains our highest priority,” Hart’s letter read. “Upon learning of the allegations, the district immediately removed Pester from all classroom and extracurricular duties.”
Hart said that counseling and support services will be made available for all students at the high school. He also encouraged district families to reach out to school administrators with any lingering concerns or questions they may have.
“While this situation is deeply concerning, it is also important to remember that this is an active investigation, and we must allow the legal process to proceed,” Hart wrote in his missive.
Pester was set to appear in court Wednesday, January 28, but it was unclear at press time if he was asked to enter a plea.
If you suspect child abuse, please call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit ChildHelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential, and the hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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