A former Oregon Department of Human Services employee, Zakary Glover, 30, pleaded guilty Tuesday to violating the civil rights of a woman with developmental disabilities, officials stated.
The victim was in Glover’s care when he engaged in sexual misconduct with her.
“This defendant engaged in sexual misconduct with a woman entrusted to his care who was suffering from significant cognitive impairments,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will pursue and prosecute government officials who abuse their power by sexually exploiting people under their care and custody, and we will do our utmost to vindicate the rights of survivors of sexual violence.”
A sentencing hearing is set for April 30.
Glover faces life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
“Using a position of trust and authority to violate the civil rights of another person is a serious federal crime and will never be tolerated by the Justice Department,” said U.S Attorney Natalie Wight for the District of Oregon.
“There is an expectation that public servants will act with care, compassion and respect, especially when responsible for some of our most vulnerable community members,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Schlegel of the FBI Portland Field Office.
According to the plea agreement, at the time of the offense, Glover worked as a direct support crisis specialist for the Office of Developmental Disabilities Stabilization and Crisis Unit.
On November 2, 2021, Glover transported an adult woman to an outing in Salem, Oregon.
The victim suffers from severe autism and epilepsy, cognitive delays, and very limited verbal ability. Staff members responsible for her care communicate by showing her picture books, displaying YouTube videos, or drawing pictures.
During the outing, Glover detoured 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 and then positioned his body in a way that allowed him to attempt to force her into another non-consensual sexual act. Glover admitted that the victim did not consent to any of the sexual activity.
Among other offenses, his conduct constituted attempted aggravated sexual abuse.
The FBI Portland Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gavin Bruce for the District of Oregon and Trial Attorney Daniel Grunert of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.