Klamath Man to Spend Life in Prison After Medford Federal Court Sentencing

Medford, Oregon –Negasi Zuberi, 31, of Klamath Falls, Oregon, was sentenced to life in federal prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting two women and confining one of them in a makeshift cell he constructed in his garage, federal officials announced.

“There is no place in civil society for this type of terrifying violence,” said 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.”

Details of the Crimes

According to court documents, Zuberi posed as a police officer to detain a woman in Seattle on July 15, 2023. Using a taser and handcuffs, he forced her into the backseat of his vehicle and transported her approximately 450 miles to his home in Klamath Falls, stopping along the way to sexually assault her.

At his residence, the victim was confined in a cell Zuberi had constructed in his garage.

She managed to escape by breaking the cell door, retrieved a handgun from Zuberi’s vehicle, and flagged down a passing motorist for help.

On July 16, 2023, Reno Police Department officers and Nevada State Patrol officers located Zuberi in a parking lot in Reno, Nevada. Following a brief standoff, Zuberi surrendered and was taken into custody.

Further investigation revealed that Zuberi had kidnapped and sexually assaulted another victim on May 6, 2023, approximately six weeks before the Seattle kidnapping. His first victim reported seeing cinder blocks in Zuberi’s garage, which were later used to construct the cell used to detain the second victim.

Legal Proceedings

On August 2, 2023, a federal grand jury in Medford indicted Zuberi on charges of kidnapping and transporting a victim with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

Additional charges, including a second count of kidnapping and possession of firearms and ammunition, were added in February 2024.

On October 18, 2024, a federal jury found Zuberi guilty on all charges.

Investigation and Prosecution

The case was investigated by multiple agencies, including the FBl’s Portland and Reno Field Offices, Klamath Falls Police Department, and Oregon State Police. Other agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada and various local law enforcement agencies, provided support.

The prosecution team included Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey S. Sweet, Nathan J. Lichvarcik, and Marco A. Boccato, with assistance from Appellate Chief Suzanne Miles.