Fugitive Found Guilty of Sexual Assault
A man who allegedly feigned his death and escaped the United States to dodge sexual assault charges has been found guilty of rape in Utah. The verdict was reached after three days of court proceedings and witness testimonies.
The man, identified as Nicholas Alahverdian in Utah, is now awaiting his sentencing. He could face anything from five years to a lifetime in prison.
Victim's Bravery Praised
The district attorney praised the survivor for her courage. "Her readiness to step forward, even after so many years since the assault, is commendable," he stated. "Her patience was crucial in bringing the defendant back to Utah for the trial. Her bravery to face her attacker and demand justice is truly inspiring."
However, Alahverdian's defense attorney could not be reached for an immediate comment.
Second Trial on the Horizon
Alahverdian has another trial for rape charges in a neighboring county scheduled for later this year.
Alleged Escape and Capture
Two years after an online obituary claimed Alahverdian passed away from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, he was arrested in Scotland. He was using the name Arthur Knight and denying being Alahverdian. He claimed to be an Irish orphan turned businessman.
The prosecutor in the Utah case revealed that Alahverdian admitted his real identity in court last year. He stands accused of raping a 24-year-old woman in 2008 after a brief romance and engagement.
Victim's Testimony
The victim testified that Alahverdian became hostile and controlling soon after she purchased their engagement rings and loaned him rent money. When she took off the ring and ended their relationship, they argued, and he assaulted her.
Alahverdian's defense attorney compared the allegations to an incomplete puzzle from a thrift store, suggesting that not all the facts were present. He further argued that the victim's narrative had changed over time and couldn't be confirmed.
Previous Charges and Convictions
Alahverdian, a former assistant in Rhode Island’s legislature, has a history of accusations and convictions related to assault and sex crimes involving women he was romantically linked to.
In one 2010 case in Massachusetts, his then-wife claimed he physically assaulted her during a dispute over a crying baby. Alahverdian pled no contest to misdemeanor domestic assault and received probation.
In Ohio in 2008, a woman Alahverdian met online accused him of sexually assaulting her on their way to a community college class. He denied the allegation but was charged with public indecency and sexual imposition, a misdemeanor indicating non-consensual sexual contact. After a trial, Alahverdian was fined and required to register as a sex offender.
Another Pending Case
Another case in Utah from 2008 involves a woman who claimed to have dated Alahverdian after meeting him online. She alleges that she ended the relationship due to his escalating aggression and unpaid loans. She claims that he raped her when she visited his home under the pretense of repaying her.
A sexual assault kit was conducted the day after the alleged incident, but due to a backlog in testing, Alahverdian wasn't identified as a suspect until a decade later. He has pleaded not guilty in this case.