Teenager sentenced to decades in prison for sexual assault in rural Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A 17-year-old will spend decades behind bars after being convicted for a sexual assault in Leigh.

Gabriel Safty of Leigh was sentenced to 34 to 46 years in prison for first-degree sexual assault, false imprisonment and terroristic threats.

Prior to the sentencing, Safty had been on probation for an earlier first-degree sexual assault conviction.

Stanton County Sheriff Mike Unger says an aggravated sexual assault at a farmhouse near Leigh was reported to the office last April.

Safty forced his way into the home, using a knife to cut open a screen, and assaulted a woman who was home alone at the time.

He threatened her with a replica firearm and tied her up with a martial arts belt, according to the sheriff.

After assaulting the woman, Safty stole her vehicle and led deputies on a chase down Highway 32 through Cuming County.

The vehicle was disabled in the chase, and he was arrested after a foot chase.

The sheriff says Safty confessed to sexually assaulting the woman while being questioned.

He originally planned to steal from the home but decided to assault the woman during his intrusion, according to his arrest affidavit.