Topline: Nicholas Rossi was sentenced in a Salt Lake City court for one of two 2008 rape convictions in northern Utah.
Published: October 29, 2025 3:00 pm ET
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Nicholas Rossi in court (via KUTV)
SALT LAKE CITY — A Rhode Island man who fled the country and staged his own death to evade rape charges was sentenced to a prison term of five years to life.
Nicholas Rossi, 38, legally known as Nicholas Alahverdian, was convicted in August of first-degree felony rape. The victim, a former girlfriend, is identified in court records as M.B., according to the Salt Lake Tribune.
The two met online in November 2008 and briefly dated. According to prosecutors, the assault occurred in December of that year after an argument at Rossi’s apartment. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said Rossi “threw M.B. on the bed and raped her” following a visit to a jewelry store where the couple had looked at wedding rings.
Third District Judge Barry Lawrence delivered the sentence in a Salt Lake City courtroom, describing Rossi as a “serial abuser of women” and a significant flight risk. The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole will determine the actual length of Rossi’s incarceration.
Rossi maintained his innocence during the hearing, claiming the women who accused him were “lying,” as reported by the Associated Press. He was dressed in light blue jail clothing and remained silent as multiple victims addressed the court.
The case gained national attention due to Rossi’s elaborate efforts to avoid prosecution. In 2017, he left the United States and assumed aliases while living in Scotland.
In 2020, an online obituary falsely claimed he had died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. His deception unraveled in 2021 when hospital staff in Glasgow recognized his distinctive tattoos while he was being treated for COVID-19.
Following his arrest, Rossi engaged in prolonged extradition proceedings, during which he denied his identity and adopted a fake British accent. He was ultimately returned to Utah to face charges.
In addition to the Orem case, Rossi was convicted in September of raping another former girlfriend in 2008. That incident occurred when the woman visited his apartment to retrieve money he had stolen. Authorities reviewing a backlog of DNA rape kits identified Rossi as the primary suspect in 2018.
Rossi is scheduled to be sentenced for the second conviction in November. He was transferred to the Utah State Correctional Facility immediately following the hearing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Fugitive Who Faked Death in 2020 Sentenced to at Least 5 Years for Utah Rape
Nicholas Rossi was sentenced in a Salt Lake City court for one of two 2008 rape convictions in northern Utah.
By Kate Byrd
Published: October 29, 2025 3:00 pm ET
Nicholas Rossi in court (via KUTV)
SALT LAKE CITY — A Rhode Island man who fled the country and staged his own death to evade rape charges was sentenced to a prison term of five years to life.
Nicholas Rossi, 38, legally known as Nicholas Alahverdian, was convicted in August of first-degree felony rape. The victim, a former girlfriend, is identified in court records as M.B., according to the Salt Lake Tribune.
The two met online in November 2008 and briefly dated. According to prosecutors, the assault occurred in December of that year after an argument at Rossi’s apartment. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said Rossi “threw M.B. on the bed and raped her” following a visit to a jewelry store where the couple had looked at wedding rings.
Third District Judge Barry Lawrence delivered the sentence in a Salt Lake City courtroom, describing Rossi as a “serial abuser of women” and a significant flight risk. The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole will determine the actual length of Rossi’s incarceration.
Rossi maintained his innocence during the hearing, claiming the women who accused him were “lying,” as reported by the Associated Press. He was dressed in light blue jail clothing and remained silent as multiple victims addressed the court.
The case gained national attention due to Rossi’s elaborate efforts to avoid prosecution. In 2017, he left the United States and assumed aliases while living in Scotland.
In 2020, an online obituary falsely claimed he had died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. His deception unraveled in 2021 when hospital staff in Glasgow recognized his distinctive tattoos while he was being treated for COVID-19.
Following his arrest, Rossi engaged in prolonged extradition proceedings, during which he denied his identity and adopted a fake British accent. He was ultimately returned to Utah to face charges.
In addition to the Orem case, Rossi was convicted in September of raping another former girlfriend in 2008. That incident occurred when the woman visited his apartment to retrieve money he had stolen. Authorities reviewing a backlog of DNA rape kits identified Rossi as the primary suspect in 2018.
Rossi is scheduled to be sentenced for the second conviction in November. He was transferred to the Utah State Correctional Facility immediately following the hearing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Fugitive Who Faked Death in 2020 Sentenced to at Least 5 Years for Utah Rape
Nicholas Rossi was sentenced in a Salt Lake City court for one of two 2008 rape convictions in northern Utah.
By Kate Byrd
Published: October 29, 2025 3:00 pm ET
Nicholas Rossi in court (via KUTV)
SALT LAKE CITY — A Rhode Island man who fled the country and staged his own death to evade rape charges was sentenced to a prison term of five years to life.
Nicholas Rossi, 38, legally known as Nicholas Alahverdian, was convicted in August of first-degree felony rape. The victim, a former girlfriend, is identified in court records as M.B., according to the Salt Lake Tribune.
The two met online in November 2008 and briefly dated. According to prosecutors, the assault occurred in December of that year after an argument at Rossi’s apartment. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said Rossi “threw M.B. on the bed and raped her” following a visit to a jewelry store where the couple had looked at wedding rings.
Third District Judge Barry Lawrence delivered the sentence in a Salt Lake City courtroom, describing Rossi as a “serial abuser of women” and a significant flight risk. The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole will determine the actual length of Rossi’s incarceration.
Rossi maintained his innocence during the hearing, claiming the women who accused him were “lying,” as reported by the Associated Press. He was dressed in light blue jail clothing and remained silent as multiple victims addressed the court.
The case gained national attention due to Rossi’s elaborate efforts to avoid prosecution. In 2017, he left the United States and assumed aliases while living in Scotland.
In 2020, an online obituary falsely claimed he had died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. His deception unraveled in 2021 when hospital staff in Glasgow recognized his distinctive tattoos while he was being treated for COVID-19.
Following his arrest, Rossi engaged in prolonged extradition proceedings, during which he denied his identity and adopted a fake British accent. He was ultimately returned to Utah to face charges.
In addition to the Orem case, Rossi was convicted in September of raping another former girlfriend in 2008. That incident occurred when the woman visited his apartment to retrieve money he had stolen. Authorities reviewing a backlog of DNA rape kits identified Rossi as the primary suspect in 2018.
Rossi is scheduled to be sentenced for the second conviction in November. He was transferred to the Utah State Correctional Facility immediately following the hearing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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