Local

‘Horrific crimes’: West Springfield man pleads guilty to 30 charges including rape, kidnapping

Ali Ghaffar

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Ali Ghaffar, 23, of West Springfield man has been sentenced on Wednesday after pleading guilty to 30 total charges, among those including rape and kidnapping that occurred from June 2021 - March 2022.

West Springfield police had been investigating multiple reports of sexual assaults from that time frame.

Upon watching West Springfield surveillance footage, detectives noticed a vehicle that was continuously present within the areas where these assaults occurred.

Police identified the vehicle as belonging to Ghaffar, and maintained surveillance on him.

When a woman accompanied Ghaffar into his vehicle, members of the Springfield Police Detective Unit, S.A.F.E Unit, and the West Springfield Police Department Narcotics Unit conducted an investigatory stop and placed Mr. Ghaffar under arrest.

Ghaffar was found guilty of:

  • (12) counts of aggravated rape, sentenced to 22 years in state prison
  • (6) counts of aggravated kidnapping with serious bodily injury
  • (1) count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, sentenced to 8-10 years in state prison
  • (4) counts of threat to commit a crime, sentenced to 6 months in the House of Corrections
  • (3) counts of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over, sentenced to 4-5 years in state prison
  • (3) counts of assault to rape, sentenced to 18-20 years in state prison
  • (1) count of larceny over $1200, sentenced to 1 year in the House of Corrections.

“Ali Ghaffar was held accountable today for the horrific crimes he committed.” Said Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. “His actions caused unspeakable harm to his many victims and left a lasting impact on their lives and our community. I wish to express my gratitude and admiration to the brave victims who came forward and showed extraordinary courage in the face of their ongoing trauma. The defendant preyed on women in vulnerable positions, most of them dealing with mental health and substance use disorders, and, today, they used their voice to help render justice and accountability.”

Ghaffar will also serve 5 years of probation after serving the concurrent sentencing.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW

0