FBI looks for victims after woman escapes from abductor's cinder block cell
Anish Vij
Featured Image Credit: FBI
The FBI has joined law enforcement in Oregon in their search for victims who have been assaulted by a violent sex offender.
Negasi Zuberi, 29, has been taken into federal custody and accused of interstate kidnapping.
One of the survivors from Washington claimed she was kidnapped and locked in a cinderblock cell in the garage of the man’s Klamath Falls, Oregon property, where she was sexually assaulted.
Law enforcement say that the victim escaped by smashing down 'the door with her hands until they were bloody in order to break free'.
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“This woman was kidnapped, chained, sexually assaulted, and locked in a cinderblock cell," said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Shark of the FBI Portland Field Office.
"Police say she beat the door with her hands until they were bloody in order to break free.
"Her quick thinking and will to survive may have saved other women from a similar nightmare.”
On 15 July, Zuberi - also known as Sakima, a.k.a. Justin Hyche and Justin Kouassi - allegedly travelled 450 miles from his Oregon home to Seattle, which is a seven and a half hour trip, where he was said to have posed as an undercover police officer talking to a prostitute, the FBI have said.
The victim said in a statement that the accused pointed a taser at her and put her in handcuffs and leg irons before forcing her into the back seat of his vehicle.
After driving her back home, the man in question allegedly sexually assaulted this woman in a cinderblock cell in his garage.
The woman says that when she was eventually able to break out, she flagged down a driver who then called 911.
Zuberi was later detained in Reno, Nevada, more than four hours from his home.
"We are fortunate that this brave woman escaped and alerted authorities," Agent Shark said.
"Through quick law enforcement action, we were able to get Zuberi in custody the next day.
"While she may have helped protect future victims, sadly we have now linked Zuberi to additional violent sexual assaults in at least four states, and there could be more."
"Sakima has several different methods to gain control of his victims, including drugging their drinks, pretending to be a police officer, and soliciting the services of sex workers and then violently sexually assaulting them," the FBI said.
"Some of the encounters may have been filmed to make it appear as if the assault was consensual.
"The victims are threatened with retaliation if they notify the police."
If you and/or your minor dependent(s) were victimized by the accused, or have information relevant to this investigation, please fill out this short form.
UNILAD has contacted FBI for additional comment.