Kidnapping, rape victim found in Klamath Falls; FBI seeking additional victims
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29-year-old, Negasi Zuberi (aka Sakima, Justin Hyche and Justin Kouassi), is in federal custody for interstate kidnapping after a Washington woman escaped his home in Klamath Falls, OR, claiming she was kidnapped, sexually assaulted and locked in a cinderblock cell.
UPDATED: 3:12 PM, 8/2/23: Added a press release from the US Attorneys Office, District of Oregon.
The following is a press release from the Federal Bureau of Investigation
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Portland Field Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying potential victims of a violent sex assault offender who has lived in at least 10 states.
29-year-old, Negasi Zuberi (aka Sakima, Justin Hyche and Justin Kouassi), is in federal custody for interstate kidnapping after a Washington woman escaped his home in Klamath Falls, OR, claiming she was kidnapped, sexually assaulted and locked in a cinderblock cell.
According to court records, on Saturday, July 15, 2023, Zuberi traveled from his home in Klamath Falls, OR, to Seattle, WA, where he solicited the services of a prostitute, he then posed as an undercover police officer. The victim told investigators that he pointed a taser at her and placed her in handcuffs, leg irons and put her in the back seat of his car. He then traveled roughly 450 miles with the woman, sexually assaulting her during the trip.
29-year-old, Negasi Zuberi (aka Sakima, Justin Hyche and Justin Kouassi), is in federal custody for interstate kidnapping after a Washington woman escaped his home in Klamath Falls, OR, claiming she was kidnapped, sexually assaulted and locked in a cinderblock cell.
According to the victim, once he arrived at his home in Klamath Falls, OR, Zuberi moved her into a makeshift cell that he had constructed in his garage. The cell was made of cinder blocks and a metal door installed in reverse so it could not be opened from the inside. Once Zuberi left, the victim says she repeatedly banged on the door and was able to break the door open and escape the room. She was able to flag down a passing motorist who called 9-1-1.
Klamath Falls Police Department obtained a search warrant for Zuberi’s residence and found the makeshift cell described by the victim. Zuberi fled and was located in Reno, NV where he was taken into custody after a brief standoff with local police.
“According to the complaint, this woman was kidnapped, chained, sexually assaulted, and locked in a cinderblock cell. 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,” says Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Stephanie Shark with the FBI Portland Field Office. “We are fortunate that this brave woman escaped and alerted authorities. 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.”
Zuberi has lived in ten states over the last ten years and FBI investigators have reason to believe there could be additional sexual assault victims.
The FBI's investigation has extended to multiple states where Zuberi previously resided between August of 2016 and today. Those states could include: California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Alabama, and Nevada.
Victims may know Zuberi by the name “Sakima” and it is believed he may have used several different methods to gain control of his victims; including by drugging their drinks and impersonating a police officer.
The victims are often threatened with retaliation if they notify the police.
If you believe you have been a victim or have any information concerning Zuberi (aka Sakima) visit the website: fbi.gov/SakimaVictims or call 1-800-CALL-FBI. You can also contact the FBI Portland Field Office at (503) 224-4181, your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or you can submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
The FBI would like to acknowledge our partners assisting in this investigation including the United States Attorney’s Office – District of Oregon, Klamath Falls Police Department, Oregon Department of Justice, Oregon State Police, Reno Police Department, Nevada State Police and the FBI Las Vegas Field Office, Reno Resident Agency.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The following is a press release by the Klamath Falls City Police.
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - On Saturday July 15th, at approximately 12:15 pm, officers responded to Sky Lakes Medical Center to contact a rape victim. Officers learned the victim worked as a prostitute and lived in Seattle, Washington. The victim reported she met a client around midnight in Seattle the previous evening, later identified as Negasi Zuberi, Zuberi told the victim he was a police officer. Zuberi told the victim she was under arrest and placed her into handcuffs and leg irons. The victim reported Zuberi had a firearm, police patches, a taser, and other law enforcement equipment.
Zuberi drove the victim to Klamath Falls where he resides. Zuberi continued to purport he was a police officer and needed to take her for processing. The Victim told detectives, Zuberi stopped somewhere between Klamath Falls and Seattle and sexually assaulted her. The victim indicated Zuberi placed her into a small room in his garage, at 1336 North Eldorado Avenue. It was later learned the room had been constructed by Zuberi. The room had been made to be soundproof. The room had a security screen door installed backwards and an exterior door making it very difficult to get out of. After ensuring the victim was secure in the room, Zuberi left.
The victim said she knew Zuberi would kill her if she stayed in the room. The victim began punching the security screen door. The victim was able to break the welds on the screen door and pull the metal screen material down. The victim then climbed through a small opening in the door and escaped. The victim began running down the street screaming for help. The victim was picked up by a citizen and later taken to Sky Lakes Medical Center.
Detectives, with the assistance of the FBI, learned Zuberi was near Reno, Nevada. Detectives contacted both Reno Police Department and Nevada State Patrol. Detectives were able to give Nevada law enforcement timely information. Reno Police Department and Nevada State Police located the vehicle Zuberi was in at a Walmart in Reno. After a standoff with Zuberi and law enforcement, Zuberi was taken into custody and transported to the hospital.
Due to the real possibility this was not Zuberi’s first crime of this nature the FBI was requested to take over the investigation. The FBI assumed the investigation. Klamath Falls Police Captain Rob Reynolds traveled to Portland and will participate in a joint press conference with the FBI today at 11:00am. The press release of that press conference is attached.
Klamath Falls man indicted for kidnapping and sexually assaulting Seattle woman, additional victims sought
PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment today charging a Klamath Falls, Oregon, man with kidnapping and sexually assaulting a Seattle woman and forcing her into a makeshift cell he constructed in his garage.
Negasi Zuberi, 29, also known as Sakima, Justin Hyche, and Justin Kouassi, has been charged with interstate kidnapping and transporting an individual across state lines with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
According to court documents, on July 15, 2023, Zuberi was in Seattle when he is alleged to have posed as a police officer, pointed a taser at an adult woman, placed her in handcuffs, and forced her into the backseat of his vehicle. Zuberi then transported the woman approximately 450 miles back to his home in Klamath Falls, stopping along the way to sexually assault her and cover her face with a sweatshirt.
When Zuberi arrived at his residence, he moved the woman from his vehicle into a makeshift cell he had constructed in his garage. The woman repeatedly banged on the cell door until it broke open and she escaped. She retrieved a handgun from Zuberi’s vehicle, fled his garage, and flagged down a passing motorist who called 911.
The next day, on July 16, 2023, two Nevada State Patrol officers located Zuberi in a retail parking lot in Reno, Nevada. After a short standoff, Zuberi surrendered to law enforcement and was taken into custody.
On July 26, 2023, Zuberi made his first appearance in federal court before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the District of Nevada. He was ordered detained pending his transfer to the District of Oregon.
Interstate kidnapping is punishable by up to life in federal prison and transporting an individual across state lines with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity is punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI Portland Field Office, Klamath Falls Police Department, and Oregon State Police with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada; Klamath County District Attorney’s Office; Reno, Nevada Police Department; Washoe County, Nevada District Attorney’s Office; and Nevada State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Brassell is prosecuting the case for the District of Oregon.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Zuberi has lived in ten different states over the last ten years including California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Alabama, and Nevada, and federal law enforcement has reason to believe he may have victimized additional women.
If you or someone you know have information about possible crimes committed by Zuberi, please visit fbi.gov/sakimavictims or call 1-800-Call-FBI.