Ali Ghaffar
Ali Ghaffar | |
|---|---|
Ghaffar during a dangerousness hearing in April 2022 | |
| Born | Ali Ghaffar May 2001 (age 24) |
| Convictions |
|
| Criminal penalty | 22 years imprisonment |
| Details | |
| Victims | 6–8+ |
Span of crimes | 2021–2022 |
| Country | United States |
| State | 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 was sentenced to 22 years in prison.
Rapes
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] He would then drive 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 them and then 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
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.[1][8] In January, he was sentenced to 22 years imprisonment followed by five years of probation.[9][10]
See also
References
- ^ 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. Archived from the original on April 24, 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. Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. 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. Archived from the original on January 12, 2025. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ a b Shook, Ashley (December 20, 2024). "Massachusetts serial rapist arrested in West Springfield pled guilty to 30 charges". WWLP. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ Mariano, Willoughby; Wallack, Todd (January 14, 2025). "Serial rapist sentenced to 22 years in prison for attacks in West Springfield". WBUR-FM. Archived from the original on January 15, 2025. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
- ^ McCorkindale, Emma; Fay, Tony; Overton, Claire (January 14, 2025). ""Monster" victim statements read during West Springfield serial rapist sentencing". WWLP. Archived from the original on January 17, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.