Sentencing date set for man convicted of having relationship with former student

A former Palmyra teacher was convicted on Tuesday of having an inappropriate relationship with a former student.

Read the full article on KETV 7

Man pleads guilty to having inappropriate relationship with former student

A former Palmyra teacher was convicted on Tuesday of having an inappropriate relationship with a former student.

OMAHA, Neb. —

A former Palmyra teacher was convicted on Tuesday of having an inappropriate relationship with a former student.

Cody Pester, 27, pled guilty to a downgraded charge of sexual abuse by a school employee, according to Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon.

Condon said Pester faces up to two years in prison and the possibility of registering as a sex offender.

According to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, 26-year-old Cody Pester was a wrestling coach at the school and first met the student at school athletic events.

Ben Houchin, Lancaster County chief deputy sheriff, said the relationship started in May 2025, after the student graduated, and it turned sexual in July.

Previous coverage: Palmyra teacher accused of inappropriate relationship with former student

“Since May 2025, Pester and the victim had contact over 13,000 times on the phone,” Houchin said.

Pester was taken into custody in January for sexual abuse by a school employee and has been placed on immediate suspension.

Officials said the victim is 18. According to state law, teachers cannot have inappropriate sexual relationships with students during their schooling or within 90 days of them graduating.

Pester’s sentencing date is scheduled for Sept. 14.

Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.