Nicholas Rossi, accused of faking his death to flee to the UK and evade charges, has been convicted of rape and will be sentenced in October.
In a trial that spanned three days, Rossi, who used the alias Nicholas Alahverdian, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a former girlfriend in Utah in 2008.
Rossi, 38, hailing from Rhode Island, faced accusations of assaulting two women, one in Utah and another in Salt Lake County, both of which he denied. The jury convicted him of first-degree felony rape in Salt Lake County, and he is awaiting trial for related charges in Utah.
The woman from Salt Lake County, identified in court as MS, testified that she met Rossi online in 2008, quickly began dating him, and became engaged within two weeks.
She further testified that Rossi became controlling, withdrew money from her, and criticized her looks. After deciding to break up with him, she alleged that he pushed her onto a bed and raped her.
Authorities report that Rossi fled to the UK in 2020, ultimately reaching Scotland using a false identity, and feigned his death to dodge legal charges.
He wed his wife, Miranda, in Bristol, then relocated to Glasgow. He was apprehended there in 2021 while hospitalized for Covid-19.
Sky News indicated that hospital personnel identified him by his tattoos, which had been circulated by Interpol. Investigators confirmed his identity through photographs and his DNA and fingerprints, which Interpol had on file.
His extradition from Scotland was completed in January 2024, following an order signed in 2023.
In court, Rossi claimed to be Arthur Knight from Ireland, appearing in a wheelchair and using an oxygen mask.
He faces a prison sentence ranging from five years to life.
Reacting to the verdict, attorney Sim Gill remarked: “We are grateful to the survivor in this case for her willingness to come forward, years after this attack took place. It took courage and bravery to take the stand and confront her attacker to hold him accountable.”