Highlands Ranch Man Convicted of Bathroom Strangulation of Two Women

A Douglas County jury convicted 39-year-old Zebediah Scales on four assault counts for attacking his girlfriend and her friend in the bathroom of a Highlands Ranch home after accusing the girlfriend of cheating. The conviction, handed down Jan. 21, 2026, carries a potential prison term of two to 16 years.

Prosecutors said Scales tried to drag his girlfriend out of the bathtub. When a friend intervened, prosecutors said Scales threw the friend to the ground and grabbed both women around the neck, attempting to strangle them. One victim was able to call 911. A Douglas County Sheriff’s deputy who responded to the call documented deep bruising consistent with strangulation.

Scales has an extensive criminal history that includes prior convictions for assault, assault with a deadly weapon and multiple drug offenses. He fled to Texas while awaiting trial in this case. Local police located and arrested Scales in Texas, and he was extradited back to Douglas County to face trial. Scales is scheduled to be sentenced on March 27.

The case presents immediate implications for Highlands Ranch and broader Douglas County. Residents who give their neighbors their trust now see a high-profile example of intimate partner violence occurring in a quiet suburban setting. Public safety officials and community leaders are likely to face renewed calls to review how the county manages domestic violence cases, pretrial supervision and interstate cooperation when defendants flee local jurisdiction.

The extradition of Scales from Texas highlights interagency coordination between Douglas County law enforcement and out-of-state authorities. That cooperation ensured the defendant did not remain at large while awaiting sentencing, but the case also raises questions about conditions of release and risk assessment for defendants with prior violent convictions.

For victims and members of the community, the conviction reinforces the importance of timely reporting and the role of first responders. The physical evidence of bruising documented by the deputy was a key element in the prosecution, illustrating how evidence collected at the scene can affect case outcomes.

Looking ahead, March 27 will bring sentencing that determines whether Scales serves a prison term within the stated two-to-16-year range. Douglas County officials and residents will watch for any policy or procedural changes that emerge from this case, particularly regarding domestic violence prevention, pretrial monitoring and communication between jurisdictions. The conviction is a reminder that domestic violence is a local public safety issue with legal, policy and community consequences.