UCSB assault case ends with 30-years-to-life sentence

The UCSB assault case reached its conclusion Monday when Arian Eteghaei, 24, was sentenced to 30 years to life in state prison for sexually assaulting multiple women while attending the University of California, Santa Barbara. The ruling came after a dramatic courtroom scene earlier this year, when Eteghaei briefly tried to flee moments after the guilty verdict was read.

Eteghaei was convicted on January 16 after a lengthy jury trial. Jurors found him guilty of forcible rape, forcible sexual penetration and misdemeanor domestic violence. They also upheld a special allegation that the sexual offenses involved more than one victim, making the sentence far more severe. The case centered on five women who were sexually assaulted and a sixth woman who was battered when Eteghaei was a freshman.

His attempt to escape unfolded immediately after the verdict. As deputies handcuffed him and began escorting him to a secure holding area, he suddenly sprinted toward State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, reportedly shouting profanities as he ran. A bailiff tried to stop him but could not get him under control, and a second officer rushed over. Two bystanders also stepped in and helped pin him to the ground.

The sentencing brought a hard end to a case that had already shaken the Santa Barbara community and drawn attention because of the arrest-style scramble inside the courthouse. Eteghaei’s attorney had argued that he should remain free until sentencing, but the court did not grant that request. Instead, Judge Von Deroian imposed the long prison term after the convictions were entered.