Ali Ghaffar
{{Short description|American serial rapist}}
{{Infobox criminal
| name = Ali Ghaffar
| image = Ali Ghaffar.png
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Ghaffar during a dangerousness hearing in April 2022
| birth_name = Ali Ghaffar
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|2001|05}}
| birth_place = United States
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| other_names =
| education =
| occupation =
| conviction = 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{{Cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/massachusetts-serial-rapist-arrested-in-west-springfield-pled-guilty-to-30-charges/ar-AA1weXgZ |title=Massachusetts serial rapist arrested in West Springfield pled guilty to 30 charges |last=Shook |first=Ashley |date=December 20, 2024 |access-date=January 2, 2025 |work=MSN}}
| victims = 6–8+
| criminal_penalty = 22 years imprisonment
| beginyear = 2021
| endyear = 2022
| apprehended = March 31, 2022
| country = United States
| states = Massachusetts
}}
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.
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.{{Cite news |url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/west-springfield-man-20-charged-in-rapes-of-6-women-during-monthslong-spree-da-says/39716032 |title=West Springfield man, 20, charged in rapes of 6 women during monthslong spree, DA says |date=April 13, 2022 |access-date=January 2, 2025 |work=WCVB-TV}} 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.{{Cite news |url=https://www.wwlp.com/news/neighbors-in-disbelief-after-alleged-serial-rapist-is-arrested-in-bear-hole/ |title=Neighbors in disbelief of alleged serial rapist is arrested in Bear Hole |date=April 13, 2022 |access-date=January 2, 2025 |work=WWLP}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.westernmassnews.com/2022/04/22/disturbing-details-emerge-alleged-serial-rapist-dangerousness-hearing-thursday/ |title=Disturbing details emerge from alleged serial rapist dangerousness hearing Thursday |last=Dunford |first=Paris |date=April 21, 2022 |access-date=January 2, 2025 |work=Western Mass News}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/12/19/ali-ghaffar-guilty-plea-serial-rape |title=West Springfield man pleads guilty to sexually assaulting 6 women in 9 months |last=Wallack |first=Todd |date=December 19, 2024 |access-date=January 2, 2025 |work=WBUR-FM}}
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.
| role="presentation" class="wikitable" | ||
| Date
! Location ! Notes | ||
|---|---|---|
| June 11, 2021 | Clark Field | Convicted{{Cite news |url=https://www.wwlp.com/news/crime/hampden-da-to-discuss-arrest-of-alleged-serial-rapist/ |title=West Springfield man charged for rape and assault of 6 women |last1=Thomas |first1=Kayleigh |last2=Aresco |first2=Nick |date=April 13, 2022 |access-date=January 2, 2025 |work=WWLP}} |
| July 29, 2021 | Clark Field | Convicted |
| January 16, 2022 | Clark Field | Convicted |
| February 19, 2022 | Bear Hole Reservoir | Convicted |
| February 26, 2022 | Bear Hole Reservoir | Convicted |
| March 4, 2022 | Bear Hole Reservoir | Convicted |
| March 24, 2022 | Bear Hole Reservoir | Not charged |
| March 31, 2022 | Bear Hole Reservoir | Prevented |
| — | — | Not charged |
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. He was held without bail and charged with several counts of rape and assault.{{Cite news |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/massachusetts-officials-announce-arrest-alleged-130713173.html |title=Suspected serial rapist charged in six attacks in Massachusetts city |date=April 13, 2022 |access-date=January 2, 2025 |work=Yahoo News}} He was proven to be the perpetrator through DNA evidence and testimony provided by victims.{{Cite news |url=https://www.wwlp.com/news/crime/massachusetts-serial-rapist-arrested-in-west-springfield-pled-guilty-to-30-charges/ |title=Massachusetts serial rapist arrested in West Springfield pled guilty to 30 charges |last=Shook |first=Ashley |date=December 20, 2024 |access-date=January 2, 2025 |work=WWLP}}
In December 2024, Ghaffar pleaded guilty to 30 counts. In January, he was sentenced to 22 years imprisonment followed by five years of probation.{{Cite news |url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/01/14/serial-rapist-sentenced-to-22-years-in-prison-for-attacks-in-west-springfield |title=Serial rapist sentenced to 22 years in prison for attacks in West Springfield |last1=Mariano |first1=Willoughby |last2=Wallack |first2=Todd |date=January 14, 2025 |access-date=January 15, 2025 |work=WBUR-FM}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.wwlp.com/news/crime/sentencing-scheduled-for-west-springfield-serial-rapist/ |title="Monster" victim statements read during West Springfield serial rapist sentencing |last1=McCorkindale |first1=Emma |last2=Fay |first2=Tony |last3=Overton |first3=Claire |date=January 14, 2025 |access-date=January 23, 2025 |work=WWLP}}