Ali Ghaffar
Ali Ghaffar | |
|---|---|
 Ghaffar during a dangerousness hearing in April 2022 | |
| Born | Ali Ghaffar May 2001 (age 23) United States |
| Conviction(s) | Aggravated rape (×12) Armed kidnapping with serious bodily injury (×6) Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon Threat to commit a crime (×4) Indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or older (×3) Assault to rape (×3) Larceny[1] |
| Criminal penalty | TBD |
| Details | |
| Victims | 6–8+ |
Span of crimes | 2021–2022 |
| Country | United States |
| State(s) | Massachusetts |
Date apprehended | March 31, 2022 |
Ali Ghaffar (born May 2001) is an American convicted serial rapist who sexually assaulted at least six women in West Springfield, Massachusetts, between June 2021 and March 2022.[1]
In December 2024, Ghaffar pleaded guilty to 30 counts and is currently awaiting sentencing.
Rapes
[edit]Ghaffar's modus operandi was to approach women in his car in Springfield's South End and offer to give them a ride or drugs[2] before driving them to Clark Field near West Springfield High School or under an I-90 overpass near Bear Hole Reservoir. Once there, he would threaten them at knifepoint or gunpoint before raping and abandoning them in the woods.[3][4][5]
He was charged with assaulting six victims. Two additional attacks occurred, which he was not charged with, as the victims could not be located or declined to speak with police.[5]
| Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| June 11, 2021 | Clark Field | Convicted[4][6] |
| July 29, 2021 | Clark Field | Convicted[4][6] |
| January 16, 2022 | Clark Field | Convicted[4][6] |
| February 19, 2022 | Bear Hole Reservoir | Convicted[6] |
| February 26, 2022 | Bear Hole Reservoir | Convicted[6] |
| March 4, 2022 | Bear Hole Reservoir | Convicted[6] |
| March 24, 2022 | Bear Hole Reservoir | Not charged[5][6] |
| March 31, 2022 | Bear Hole Reservoir | Prevented[2] |
| — | — | Not charged[5] |
Arrest and trial
[edit]The vehicle Ghaffar used in the rapes was identified through CCTV footage. On March 31, 2022, it was spotted as he was driving a woman to Bear Hole Reservoir. When he came to a stop, officers approached the car and arrested him.[2] He was held without bail and charged with several counts of rape and assault.[3][7] He was proven to be the perpetrator through DNA evidence and testimony provided by victims.[8]
In December 2024, Ghaffar pleaded guilty to 30 counts and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 16, 2025.[1][8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Shook, Ashley (December 20, 2024). "Massachusetts serial rapist arrested in West Springfield pled guilty to 30 charges". MSN. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ a b c "West Springfield man, 20, charged in rapes of 6 women during monthslong spree, DA says". WCVB-TV. April 13, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ a b "Neighbors in disbelief of alleged serial rapist is arrested in Bear Hole". WWLP. April 13, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Dunford, Paris (April 21, 2022). "Disturbing details emerge from alleged serial rapist dangerousness hearing Thursday". Western Mass News. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Wallack, Todd (December 19, 2024). "West Springfield man pleads guilty to sexually assaulting 6 women in 9 months". WBUR-FM. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Thomas, Kayleigh; Aresco, Nick (April 13, 2022). "West Springfield man charged for rape and assault of 6 women". WWLP. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ "Suspected serial rapist charged in six attacks in Massachusetts city". Yahoo News. April 13, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ a b "Massachusetts serial rapist arrested in West Springfield pled guilty to 30 charges". WWLP. December 20, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2025.