A California college student found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting several women made a mad dash for freedom while being escorted out of the courtroom.
Arian Eteghaei, 23, a former student at University of California, Santa Barbara, tried to make his escape just moments after a jury found him guilty Friday on three counts of sexual assault involving five women and battery against a sixth.
While deputies were handcuffing Eteghaei and escorting him to a secure holding area, he attempted to flee toward State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, reportedly shouting profanities, according to footage obtained by Noozhawk.
As deputies fastened handcuffs on Eteghaei and began leading him from the courtroom to a secure holding area, he attempted to flee and sprinted toward State Street in downtown Santa Barbara.
Moments earlier in the courtroom, his attorney had argued that Eteghaei, already out on bail, should remain free until his sentencing on April 8.
A bailiff lunged to grab Eteghaei but struggled to restrain him until a second officer rushed over. Two bystanders also stepped in, helping the bailiffs pin Eteghaei to the ground.
Raquel Zick, spokeswoman for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed that Eteghaei did make a run for it while being transported between the court and a secure facility.
Eteghaei was arrested in 2021 while he was a student studying biology at the UCSB. He was initially charged with sexually assaulting three women. After local media coverage, three additional victims came forward.
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Several victims testified against Eteghaei at trial, including an ex-girlfriend who reported being raped and assaulted by him during a party at his Isla Vista apartment, reported the Santa Barbara Independent.
Eteghaei testified in his own defense, claiming that the sexual encounters were “consensual.”
The 12-person jury was unable to reach a verdict on several charges against Eteghaei but ultimately found him guilty of sexual penetration with a foreign object and domestic violence battery against one victim, as well as forcible rape of another.
“The victims in this case showed remarkable bravery by coming forward, reporting the crimes, and taking the stand to testify during this lengthy trial,” said District Attorney John T. Savrnoch.
“Their courage made it possible for the jury to hold the defendant accountable for his actions.”
The 23-year-old is facing 30 years in prison.
