Negasi Zuberi Convicted of Kidnapping, Assault

Negasi Zuberi, a 30-year-old man, was convicted by a federal jury in Oregon for the kidnapping and sexual assault of two women, one of whom he held captive in a cinder block cell in his garage. Zuberi, who has used multiple aliases and lived in various states, posed as an undercover police officer to abduct a Seattle woman in July 2023, sexually assaulting her during a 450-mile drive to his home in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The woman managed to escape by breaking down the cell door and alerting authorities, leading to Zuberi's arrest in Reno, Nevada. Investigations revealed Zuberi had previously assaulted another victim in May 2023, and evidence such as surveillance footage of him purchasing cinder blocks was presented at trial. Despite attempts to disrupt the proceedings, Zuberi was found guilty on all charges, including kidnapping, transportation for criminal sexual activity, and illegal possession of firearms.