PORTLAND, Ore. — An Oregon man, Negasi Zuberi, has been sentenced to life in federal prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting two women. This decision was made after a jury in Medford convicted him in October on multiple charges, including kidnapping and being a felon in possession of a weapon. He was sentenced on Friday, following a series of heinous acts detailing his blatant disregard for human life. Victims and prosecutors described him as a “serial predator” who actively “hunted women,” based on statements from assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Sweet before the sentencing.

In a disturbing incident in July 2023, Zuberi approached a woman on Aurora Avenue in Seattle, misrepresenting himself as an undercover officer. He coerced her into his vehicle by threatening her with a Taser and handcuffing her. This abduction led to his home in Klamath Falls, Oregon, where he locked her inside a cinder block cell in his garage. The woman eventually escaped after breaking down the door, prompting Zuberi to flee to Reno, Nevada, where he was apprehended. Zuberi was previously implicated in another kidnapping incident that occurred in May 2023, where he similarly threatened and assaulted a woman near a bar in Klamath Falls.

During the trial, which lasted 11 days, Zuberi consistently maintained his innocence. Initially waiving his right to testify, he later sought to take the stand but was denied that opportunity on the final day of the trial.

Given his actions, which included attempts to break out of jail, the court deemed that he poses a significant risk to public safety, resulting in the life sentence verdict. For more details on this case, visit AP News or CNN.