Medford, OR – A Klamath Falls man was sentenced to life in federal prison on Friday for kidnapping and sexually assaulting two women, one of whom he locked in a homemade cinder block cell at his home.
Negasi Zuberi, 31, was convicted in October of both crimes after a federal jury found him guilty of abducting a woman from Seattle in July 2023. According to investigators, Zuberi posed as an undercover cop to lure the woman, placing her in handcuffs and leg irons while threatening her with a stun gun. He then transported her to his residence in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
Upon arrival, Zuberi covered the woman’s head with a sweatshirt before forcing her inside his home and locking her in a makeshift cell built from cinder blocks. The woman, who has not been named, later managed to escape by repeatedly pounding on the metal door of the cell until it broke open. With her hands bloody from the effort, she seized a handgun from Zuberi’s car, which was parked in the garage, and flagged down a passing motorist who immediately called 911.
The case came to light after the victim’s courageous escape, and investigators soon connected Zuberi to another similar crime. In both instances, the victims were targeted by Zuberi, who used manipulation and physical force to keep them captive.
Federal authorities commended the bravery of the victims. “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.”
Zuberi’s life sentence comes after a lengthy investigation and trial. The case highlights the extreme danger posed by Zuberi, and the sentence reflects the severity of his actions.