Oregon man convicted of kidnapping 2 women, holding 1 hostage in cinder block 'dungeon'

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (TCN) -- A 30-year-old man has been convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting two women, as well as locking one of the victims in a makeshift "dungeon."

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced Oct. 18 that a federal jury found Negasi Zuberi, who also goes by Justin Joshua Hyche, guilty of kidnapping, transporting a victim for criminal sexual activity, and illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Zuberi could face up to life in federal prison for the kidnapping conviction alone.

According to a news release from the FBI posted by the Klamath Falls Police Department, on July 15, 2023, detectives responded to Sky Lakes Medical Center to speak with a rape victim who worked as a prostitute in Seattle. She reportedly told officials she met a client, Zuberi, and he posed as a police officer. Zuberi allegedly told her she was under arrest and placed her into handcuffs and leg irons. Prosecutors said he used a Taser before detaining the victim and driving her from Seattle to his home in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Along the way, Zuberi reportedly stopped to sexually assault her.

Once at his home, Zuberi reportedly brought the victim to a small soundproof room in his garage that he had built. Authorities said the room was difficult to escape and had a security screen and exterior door. According to federal prosecutors, the victim "repeatedly banged on the cell door until it broke open, and she escaped." She obtained a handgun from Zuberi’s car, yelled for help, and a motorist called law enforcement.

The following day, Reno Police and Nevada State Patrol officers found Zuberi at a Reno parking lot and took him into custody after a brief standoff.

During the investigation, federal investigators learned Zuberi had kidnapped and sexually assaulted another victim on May 6, 2023. The first victim reportedly saw the stacked cinder blocks in Zuberi’s garage while she was being held. Zuberi later used those blocks to build the cell where he kept the second victim.

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