A California man who brutally attacked and kidnapped an 89-year-old Summerville woman has been sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty in Dorchester County court.
The Crime
Prosecutors said Enver Zueros drove across the country after the victim, Delores Johnson, stopped sending him money. He allegedly rented an Airbnb near her home and waited for her caregiver to leave before carrying out the attack.
According to testimony in court, Zueros:
Sprayed Johnson with bear repellent
Struck her in the face
Bound her with duct tape and a dog leash
Tried to suffocate her with a plastic bag
Forced her into her own car before attempting to drive her away
Police later testified that if Johnson had not been found that night, she likely would not have survived.
Survivor’s Testimony
Despite her injuries, Johnson courageously described the ordeal in court:
“He was pushing me to the inside of my car, putting a plastic bag over my head so I could not breathe freely. I felt like I was suffocated.”
Her family members also spoke about her painful recovery, including weeks of wound care, physical therapy, and the ongoing fear she continues to live with.
Sentencing
Circuit Judge Jerrod Anderson sentenced Zueros to:
30 years for kidnapping
20 years for first-degree burglary
Sentences to run consecutively for a total of 50 years
As part of the plea deal, an attempted murder charge was dismissed.
Police and Community Response
Summerville Police Chief Doug Wright called Zueros a dangerous predator:
“This man is a very weak man. This man is a person who deserves to go to prison for the rest of his life.”
At the time of the crime, Zueros was out on bond for attempted murder charges in California, further highlighting his violent history.
Zueros’ Statement
Before sentencing, Zueros addressed the court, blaming personal struggles for his actions:
“This incident happened not because of who I am, but because of what I’ve been through… I’m sorry that my shortcomings brought someone else down along with me.”
Justice Served
Prosecutors emphasized that the severe sentence reflects both the violence of the crime and the vulnerability of the victim, ensuring Zueros will remain behind bars for decades.
