A former student at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), has been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison after being convicted of multiple counts of rape and sexual assault.
Arian Eteghaei, 24, was found guilty by a jury of forcible rape and forcible sexual penetration. He was also convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence and had a special allegation added that the crimes were committed against more than one victim.
The sentencing comes amid renewed concerns about sexual violence at UCSB, which has been ranked the nation's top party school for the past two years. Eteghaei's case adds to these concerns, with authorities saying he made a brazen escape from courthouse custody moments after his conviction.
Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch praised the victims who came forward and testified in the case, stating that their strength and willingness to speak out allowed the truth to be heard and ultimately led to Eteghaei's conviction.
Eteghaei's prosecution stretched back years and centered on crimes committed while he was a student at UCSB. He is also facing an additional felony charge for escaping from custody by force.
The case has highlighted ongoing concerns about campus safety at UCSB, with more than 100 reported rapes recorded between 2022 and 2024, according to the university's Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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