A man accused of fleeing to Scotland and faking his own death to avoid facing rape charges has been convicted of a sexual assault dating back to 2008, it has been revealed. Nicholas Rossi, known legally as Nicholas Alahverdian, spent years in Europe in an attempt to evade prosecution but was found guilty on Wednesday of raping a former girlfriend in Utah, according to the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office. The 38-year-old Rhode Island native now faces the possibility of serving five years to life in the Utah State Correctional Facility when he is sentenced in October.
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The conviction comes after a three-day trial, during which a jury found Rossi guilty of first-degree felony rape, as announced by Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. The victim, who testified against Rossi in court, showed immense courage and bravery in coming forward to ensure her attacker was held accountable for his actions. In addition to this conviction, Rossi is also awaiting trial for another alleged rape charge in Utah County, set for September.
The story of Rossi’s elaborate evasion tactics began with his fleeing to Scotland in 2017, where he assumed various aliases and eventually faked his own death in 2020 using an online obituary listing. Despite his efforts to evade justice, he was apprehended in 2021 at a Glasgow hospital, where he was undergoing treatment for COVID-19, after authorities identified him based on distinctive tattoos shared in an Interpol notice.
During the trial, it was disclosed that Rossi and his former girlfriend, referred to as M.B., met online in 2008 and engaged in a brief relationship before the assault took place. The incident occurred after an argument following a visit to a jewelry store, where Rossi’s behavior towards the victim turned aggressive. Subsequently, Rossi proceeded to rape M.B. at his apartment in Orem during their altercation, leading to the charges brought against him.
Rossi’s legal troubles escalated when Utah authorities linked him to another rape case from 2008, involving another former girlfriend who accused him of sexual assault. The investigation into his past revealed a pattern of predatory behavior, prompting law enforcement to pursue charges against him for multiple offences. Despite his attempts to avoid facing the consequences of his actions, Rossi’s past caught up with him, resulting in his conviction and impending sentencing.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Rossi’s attorney has yet to comment on the case, leaving many questions unanswered. The harrowing experiences of the victims involved serve as a stark reminder of the importance of holding perpetrators of sexual violence accountable for their crimes, regardless of the lengths they go to evade justice. The outcome of this trial signifies a step towards closure for the survivors and a reaffirmation of the justice system’s commitment to ensuring accountability for such heinous acts.