Nicholas Rossi, who appeared to have faked his own death and fled to Scotland while facing two rape allegations, will serve at least five years in a Utah state prison. That could become a life sentence for the 38-year-old from New Hampshire who still faces sentencing on a second rape charge following convictions in August and September.
He was charged with attacking two women in northern Utah in 2008 after being identified in 2018 based on evidence from an old DNA rape kit.
Shortly after he was named a suspect, an online obituary claimed Rossi, who’s legal name is Nicholas Alahverdian, died from late-stage non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It said “his battle for life ended on February 29, 2020” in Rhode Island and that his ashes were spread at sea. He was survived by a loving wife and two “cherished children,” according to that announcement.
Rhode Island cops, his former lawyer and a former foster family indicated they weren’t so sure that death notice was accurate.
In December 2021, Rossi turned up in a Scottish hospital where he was treated for COVID-19. Staffers recognized his Brown University tattoo from an Interpol notice and contacted authorities. He didn’t attend that school.
Rossi told officials he was an Irish orphan named Arthur King who was being erroneously identified. Scottish authorities approved his extradition in October 2023. He was back in the U.S. by January 2024 after challenging that order. Investigators said Rossi used at least a dozen aliases to avoid capture.
He appeared in a Utah court Thursday wearing an oxygen mask and using a wheelchair.
“I am not guilty of this. These women are lying,” Rossi claimed weakly.
A parole board will decide the length of his incarceration. A sentence of five years to life is the range of possible prison time under Utah law for rape.
A Utah judge called Rossi “the very definition of a flight risk” during sentencing. His lawyers had asked for parole.
With News Wire Services
