Arian Eteghaei, 24, was sentenced to 30 years to life in state prison by Judge Von Deroian for sexually assaulting multiple victims while he was a student at UCSB.
On January 16, following a lengthy jury trial, Eteghaei was convicted of two felony sexual assault offenses – forcible rape and forcible sexual penetration – as well as misdemeanor domestic violence, with the jury also finding true a special allegation that the sexual offenses were committed against more than one victim.
Eteghaei was arrested in 2021 while he was a biology student at UCSB.
He was charged in connection with the sexual assaults of three women, and after local media outlets reported on the case, three additional women came forward claiming that they were also assaulted by him.
An ex-girlfriend testified that he raped and assaulted her during a party at his Isla Vista apartment.
During the three-month trial, Eteghaei took the stand in his own defense and claimed the sexual encounters were consensual.
The jury was unconvinced.
District Attorney John T. Savrnoch stated: “This case would not have been possible without the extraordinary courage of the victims who came forward and participated in a long and difficult legal process.
“Their strength and willingness to testify allowed the truth to be heard and ultimately allowed the defendant to be held accountable for the serious harm he caused.”
“This case required years of persistence, careful investigation, and tremendous support for the victims. The collective work of this team exemplifies the commitment of law enforcement, prosecutors, investigators, and victim advocates to seeking justice for survivors of sexual violence.”
The sentencing capped a case marked by dramatic courtroom scenes.
In the viral moment immediately after jurors announced their guilty verdicts on January 16,
Eteghaei managed to break free from sheriff’s bailiffs as they were escorting him across Figueroa Street between the two downtown Santa Barbara courthouses.
Eteghaei was shackled at the hands but not the feet and, wearing a suit and shouting profanities, ran one block west to State Street before he was tackled by bailiffs and held down by bystanders.
Footage of his apprehension was captured by Noozhawk.
Moments earlier in the courtroom, his attorney had argued that Eteghaei, already out on bail, should remain free until his sentencing, saying Eteghaei — originally from Dublin, California, and a former soccer standout — was not a flight risk or a danger to the public.
The judge disagreed and ordered him remanded into custody.
On Jan. 16, Eteghaei attempted to escape from the custody of law enforcement at the Santa Barbara Courthouse, the same day as his conviction for forcible sexual penetration, the forcible rape of two people, and domestic violence.
Eteghaei pleaded not guilty to a felony count of escape by force or violence and denied a special allegation for escaping from the courthouse while being transported to jail.
At an Aug. 7 hearing, his attorneys sought a new trial, arguing that some jurors failed to properly disclose their own experiences with sexual assault before the trial.
The judge denied the request for a new trial and on Monday sentenced Eteghaei to 30 years to life in state prison.