A teacher in Nebraska could face up to 20 years in prison for allegedly having an intimate relationship with an 18-year-old former student shortly after graduation. While some may view the potential punishment as excessive, state law could still result in the teacher serving time behind bars.
The case was summarized on TikTok by Robbie Harvey. Cody Pester, a 26-year-old teacher and high school wrestling coach in Palmyra, reportedly began exchanging text messages with an unnamed woman after meeting her at a sporting event.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, the text exchange began on May 10, 2025, the day of the female student’s graduation. Months later, on July 18, 2025, the two allegedly “agreed to be in an intimate relationship.”
On December 29, 2025, local authorities received a report alleging that Pester, a school employee, had sexually abused a former student. Investigators interviewed both Pester and the former student on January 23. According to the affidavit, both acknowledged having engaged in intimate relations on multiple occasions.
Three days later, Pester was arrested and charged with sexual abuse committed by a school official.
Reactions to Nebraska Law
Many were shocked by the teacher’s arrest, calling it absurd. Their reaction was fueled by Harvey’s claim that the woman was already an adult when she began an intimate relationship with Pester. Harvey also stated that the former student had never been one of Pester’s students.
“Nebraska is wild for this,” one user commented. Another asked, “Isn’t everyone technically a former student, and didn’t she turn 18 first?” A third added, “This feels like a waste of time and taxpayer dollars.”
It turns out that the legal age of majority in Nebraska is 19, meaning the former female student in this case was legally considered a minor. However, the state’s age of consent is 16.
The teacher likely would have avoided legal consequences were it not for the timing: Nebraska law prohibits teachers from engaging in intimate relationships with former students during the first 90 days after graduation.
Pester’s bail was set at $100,000, and he was released after posting a $10,000 bond. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
