Oregon DHS Worker Jailed 25 Years for Raping Disabled Woman

Zakary Edward Glover, a 30-year-old former Oregon Department of Human Services employee, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for violating the civil rights of a developmentally disabled woman in his care by engaging in sexual misconduct with her.

Glover, who worked as a Direct Support Crisis Specialist for the Oregon Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Disabilities Stabilization and Crisis Unit (SACU), was tasked with ensuring the health, safety and security of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including the victim.

On November 2, 2021, Glover took the victim on an outing in a state-owned van, where he proceeded to engage in sexual acts with her without her consent. The van was secured with child locks and a heavy plastic partition, making it impossible for the victim to escape.

Glover was charged with depriving the victim of her constitutional right to bodily integrity under color of law involving attempted aggravated sexual abuse and kidnapping. He pleaded guilty to the charges on January 9, 2024.

“Mr. Glover’s crimes profoundly betrayed the trust placed in him as a state health care support specialist,” said Natalie Wight, U.S. Attorney 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.”

Glover will serve 300 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release. The FBI and Oregon State Police investigated the case, with assistance from the Civil Rights Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gavin Bruce and Trial Attorney Daniel Gruner prosecuted the case.

“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 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.”

According to the court documents, SACU operates several 24-hour crisis residential programs in Oregon that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Glover’s actions have been widely condemned, with many calling for greater accountability within the state’s healthcare system.