After evading arrest for years by allegedly faking his death and fleeing the United States, a convicted rapist, Nicholas Rossi, has finally been apprehended and sentenced to jail.
Rossi, who maintained his innocence for nearly two decades following the assaults on two women, was captured in Scotland, 13 years after the crimes, and was brought back to the US to face justice. Prior to his arrest, there was an online claim of his death from cancer.
The 38-year-old Rossi, also known as Nicholas Alahverdian, was sentenced to five years in prison by District Judge Barry Lawrence in Salt Lake City, Utah. Testifying in court, one of the victims emphasized the importance of accountability and the lasting impact of the traumatic events.
Deputy Salt Lake County District Attorney Brandon Simmons described Rossi as a danger to society, citing his history of failed marriages and his alleged use of rape as a tool for control.
Despite not testifying in his defense during the trial, Rossi continued to assert his innocence before the sentencing. However, he was convicted and jailed for one of the assaults, with sentencing for the second attack scheduled for a later date.
It took over a decade for Rossi to be convicted due to various legal proceedings. Authorities in Utah traced him back in 2018 through DNA evidence from a rape kit that linked him to the crimes.
Following a statewide effort to clear a backlog of rape kits, Rossi was among the many suspects identified and charged. Subsequently, his arrest in Scotland was facilitated when hospital staff recognized him, leading to his extradition to Utah in 2024.
Rossi, who had used multiple aliases over the years, including claiming to be an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight, faced multiple challenges during his legal battles. Despite his defense’s efforts to downplay his overseas moves, he was ultimately found guilty of one of the rape charges.
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