Negasi Zuberi is an American convicted kidnapper and serial rapist, apprehended in July 2023 after kidnapping a woman in Seattle and transporting her to his home 450 miles away in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Authorities believe Zuberi may be linked to additional assaults across multiple states since 2016. He was convicted on October 18, 2024, for kidnapping, transporting a victim for criminal sexual activity, and illegally possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon.[1]
Negasi Zuberi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1994 (age 29–30) |
| Conviction(s) |
|
| Criminal penalty | Pending |
| Details | |
| Victims | At least 2 |
Span of crimes | 2016 – July 2023 |
Date apprehended | July 16, 2023 |
Criminal Career
editNegasi Zuberi’s criminal activities are believed to have started in 2016, spanning multiple states, including California, Washington, Utah, and Oregon. He has been linked to a series of assaults involving drugging women’s drinks and posing as an undercover officer. Zuberi used a variety of aliases, such as “Sakima” and “Justin Hyche.” His most notorious crime occurred on July 15, 2023, when he kidnapped a woman and held her in a cinder block cell before her escape. The victim then flagged down a passerby driving a car and alerted the police. The next day, Reno Police Department officers and Nevada State Policeofficers located Zuberi in a parking lot in Reno, Nevada.[2] There, "after a standoff during which he allegedly cut himself and started to bleed 'profusely,' Zuberi eventually surrendered to law enforcement."[3]
When Zuberi's house was searched, handwritten plans were found detailing how and who to kidnap, and how to bury the bodies. According to prosecutors, the notes were prefaced with the phrase, "You must raise an army." Zuberi would scout for potential victims in parking lots and take “surreptitious photos” of the women and their license plates to track their cars as recently as July 2023.[4] The note detailed the type of women Zuberi targeted: “Leave phone at home. Make sure they don’t have a bunch of ppl [sic] in their life. You don’t want any type of investigation.” Another handwritten note was found in Zuberi's house that detailed how to bury the bodies, reading "dig a hole straight down 100ft.”[3]
Authorities suspect he may be responsible for more assaults across the country.[2]
References
edit- ^ Sottile, Zoe (October 19, 2024). "Oregon man found guilty after police say he held a woman hostage in a cinder block dungeon". CNN. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ a b "Jury Convicts Klamath Falls Man Who Kidnapped and Sexually Assaulted Two Women and Held One in Cell". www.justice.gov. October 18, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Harris, David (October 20, 2024). "'Dig a hole straight down 100ft:' Serial rapist guilty of kidnapping woman, driving her 450 miles to his home where he held her captive in makeshift cell as part of 'Operation Take Over'". Law & Crime. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ Plante, Aimee (August 23, 2024). "Negasi Zuberi sketched plans to 'raise an army' with captured women, prosecutors say". KOIN.com. Retrieved October 20, 2024.