Convicted: American Individual for Staging His Own Demise, Found Guilty of Sexual Assault Offenses
Nicholas Alahverdian, formerly known as Nicholas Rossi, was arrested in Scotland in 2021, despite claims of his death, following a three-day trial for a 2008 first-degree felony rape in Salt Lake County. The jury's verdict was announced after thousands of rape suspects were identified and charged as Utah made a push to clear its rape kit backlog.
In 2018, Utah authorities identified Alahverdian through a decade-old DNA rape kit. The Salt Lake County District Attorney, Sim Gill, expressed gratitude to the survivor for coming forward. The survivor displayed courage and bravery by taking the stand and confronting her attacker.
Alahverdian was found guilty of the 2008 rape. First-degree felony rape in Utah carries a punishment of five years to life in prison. The minimum sentence for this crime is five years, but it can extend to life imprisonment depending on case circumstances. Fines up to $10,000 may also be imposed.
Alahverdian was arrested while receiving treatment for Covid-19 in Scotland. Hospital staff recognised his distinctive tattoos from an Interpol notice. His arrest occurred after doubts were cast on his claimed death by police in Rhode Island, along with his former lawyer and a former foster family.
Alahverdian declined to testify on his own behalf during the trial. He will be sentenced in the case on October 20. The trial was conducted to provide justice for the survivor, who testified years after the attack.
It is important to note that Alahverdian was arrested despite claims of his death, which were made public through an online obituary that claimed he died on February 29, 2020, of late-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Alahverdian is also scheduled to stand trial in September for another rape charge in Utah County. The survivor's bravery and the efforts of Utah authorities to clear its rape kit backlog have led to the conviction of a dangerous individual, providing justice and closure for the survivor and the community.
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