Negasi Zuberi, a 31-year-old resident of Klamath Falls, Oregon, has been sentenced to life in federal prison for the kidnapping and sexual assault of two women. One of the victims was held in a cell that Zuberi constructed in his garage.
"There is no place in civil society for this type of terrifying violence," stated Natalie Wight, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. "I sincerely hope Zuberi’s life sentence will bring some measure of comfort to his victims. Their courage and perseverance are an inspiration to us all."
Court documents reveal that on July 15, 2023, Zuberi impersonated a police officer in Seattle. He used a taser and handcuffs to detain one victim before transporting her approximately 450 miles to his home in Klamath Falls. During the journey, he stopped several times to sexually assault her.
Upon reaching his residence, the victim was placed into a cell built by Zuberi in his garage. She managed to escape by breaking down the cell door, retrieving a handgun from Zuberi's vehicle, and flagging down a passing motorist who alerted authorities.
On July 16, 2023, law enforcement officers from Reno Police Department and Nevada State Patrol apprehended Zuberi after he surrendered following a brief standoff in Reno, Nevada.
Further investigations revealed that six weeks prior to the Seattle incident on May 6, 2023, Zuberi had kidnapped and sexually assaulted another woman. His first victim witnessed stacked cinder blocks which were later used for constructing the cell where he detained his second victim.
A federal grand jury indicted Zuberi on August 2, 2023. He faced charges of kidnapping and transporting a victim with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity as well as illegal possession of firearms and ammunition filed on February 15, 2024.
On October 18, 2024, Zuberi was found guilty on all counts by a federal jury.
The case involved multiple agencies including FBI Portland and Reno Field Offices; Klamath Falls Police Department; Oregon State Police; U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada; Klamath County District Attorney's Office; Reno Police Department; Washoe County District Attorney's Office; Nevada State Police; and Klamath Falls Sheriff’s Office. Prosecutors included Jeffrey S. Sweet, Nathan J. Lichvarcik, Marco A. Boccato along with Appellate Chief Suzanne Miles from the District of Oregon.