Former UCSB Biology Student Found Guilty of Multiple Sexual Offences
A 23-year-old former University of California, Santa Barbara student has been convicted of forcibly raping and sexually assaulting two women during his time as a college freshman. Arian Eteghaei was found guilty on Friday following an extensive three-month trial that heard harrowing testimony from several victims.
Detailed Charges and Trial Proceedings
The jury delivered guilty verdicts on three counts including misdemeanor domestic violence and forcible rape involving two separate victims. Although originally facing seventeen charges related to assaults against multiple women, the panel could not reach unanimous decisions on all counts. However, they did affirm the crucial finding that Eteghaei's crimes were committed against more than one victim.
Prosecutors revealed that after initial media coverage of the case, additional victims came forward to report similar experiences. During the trial, several women provided powerful testimony against Eteghaei, including an ex-girlfriend who described being raped and assaulted during a party at his apartment.
Defence Claims and Prosecution Response
Eteghaei took the stand in his own defence, maintaining that all sexual encounters were consensual. This assertion was firmly rejected by the jury after considering the compelling evidence presented.
District Attorney John Savrnoch praised the victims' extraordinary bravery in coming forward, reporting the crimes, and testifying during the lengthy legal proceedings. 'Their courage made it possible for the jury to hold the defendant accountable for his actions,' Savrnoch stated on Tuesday, commending both the victims and officials involved in the complex investigation.
Dramatic Escape Attempt Following Conviction
In a dramatic turn of events immediately following his conviction, Eteghaei managed to briefly escape custody while being escorted between courthouses in downtown Santa Barbara. Despite arguments from his defence attorney Leonard Levine that he should remain free until sentencing, Deputy District Attorney Lauren Franco successfully argued for immediate custody given the serious nature of his convictions.
The prosecution's concerns proved justified when Eteghaei broke free from sheriff's bailiffs, reaching a busy street one block away while shouting obscenities. Quick-acting bailiffs and bystanders tackled and restrained him, though it remains unclear what additional charges he might face for the escape attempt.
Sentencing and Future Proceedings
The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office has confirmed that Eteghaei's sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 8, 2026, at the Santa Barbara County Superior Court, with Judge Von Deorian presiding. Until that date, he will remain in custody without bail.
Eteghaei faces a potentially severe sentence of thirty years to life in state prison for his convictions. The case has highlighted both the challenges of prosecuting sexual assault cases and the ongoing need for victim support throughout lengthy legal processes.
