Former Oregon State Employee Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting a Woman with Disabilities

A former Oregon Department of Human Services caregiver, Zakary Glover, 30, was sentenced today to 25 years in prison and five years of supervised release for violating the civil rights of a woman with developmental disabilities who was in his care by sexually assaulting her.

"This defendant engaged in deplorable acts of sexual misconduct and targeted a victim with severe developmental disabilities who was entrusted to his care and could not defend herself," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. "The defendant breached the public's trust and violated the most basic standards of decency. The significant sentence imposed should send a strong message that the Justice Department will do all it can to hold accountable those who abuse their authority by sexual assaulting people in their custody and under their care."

"Glover's crimes profoundly betrayed the trust placed in him as a state health care support specialist," said U.S. Attorney Natalie Wight for the District of Oregon. "We thank our partners at the FBI, Oregon State Police, and Civil Rights Division for their commitment to this victim and the safety of all Oregonians."

"The defendant sexually assaulted a woman with disabilities - an egregious abuse of his authority as her caregiver," said Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division. "Protecting the civil rights of people in the United States is one of the FBI's most solemn responsibilities, and as such, we will continue to investigate those who violate an individual's constitutional right to bodily integrity."

According to court documents, Glover worked as a direct support crisis specialist for the Office of Developmental Disabilities Stabilization and Crisis Unit and was responsible for the care of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. On Nov. 2, 2021, Glover transported an adult female with severe autism, epilepsy, cognitive delays and very limited verbal ability on an outing in Salem, Oregon.

Rather than return the victim to her home after the outing, Glover took her down a dead-end road in Aumsville, Oregon. Glover parked the van and then, using force, attempted to and did cause the victim to engage in a sexual act without her consent. After doing so, Glover forcefully grabbed her by the ankles and attempted to force her into another, non-consensual sexual act. The victim did not consent to any of the sexual conduct, and Glover's conduct included attempted aggravated sexual abuse.

The FBI Portland Field Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gavin W. Bruce for the District of Oregon and Trial Attorney Daniel E. Grunert of the Civil Rights Division's Criminal Section prosecuted the case.