Rape Convict Fakes Own Death to Avoid Charges, Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
A shocking case of deception came to an end Monday when a Rhode Island man accused of raping two women in Utah received a five-year prison sentence for one of his convictions. Nicholas Alahverdian, 38, had been on the run for over a decade after faking his own death and fleeing the country to avoid rape charges.
Alahverdian's plan was uncovered when he was identified through a DNA rape kit left untouched in 2008. Authorities then tracked him down to Scotland, where he was arrested while receiving treatment for COVID-19 due to distinctive tattoos that matched an Interpol notice. He was extradited to Utah and eventually confessed to the crimes.
During his sentencing hearing, the victim described how Alahverdian had left a "trail of fear, pain and destruction" in her wake. She stated that he had used rape as a tool for control, posing a significant risk to community safety.
Prosecutors argued that Alahverdian's actions were not only violent but also deceitful, using multiple aliases and evading capture for over a decade. The second conviction, scheduled for November, carries a sentence of five years to life in prison.
In court on Monday, Alahverdian maintained his innocence, stating "I am not guilty of this. These women are lying." However, his claims were met with skepticism, and he was sentenced to the maximum allowed by law.
The case highlights the devastating consequences of rape and the lengths perpetrators will go to avoid accountability. It also underscores the importance of clearing rape kits and working to bring justice to victims who have been left in the shadows for far too long.
A shocking case of deception came to an end Monday when a Rhode Island man accused of raping two women in Utah received a five-year prison sentence for one of his convictions. Nicholas Alahverdian, 38, had been on the run for over a decade after faking his own death and fleeing the country to avoid rape charges.
Alahverdian's plan was uncovered when he was identified through a DNA rape kit left untouched in 2008. Authorities then tracked him down to Scotland, where he was arrested while receiving treatment for COVID-19 due to distinctive tattoos that matched an Interpol notice. He was extradited to Utah and eventually confessed to the crimes.
During his sentencing hearing, the victim described how Alahverdian had left a "trail of fear, pain and destruction" in her wake. She stated that he had used rape as a tool for control, posing a significant risk to community safety.
Prosecutors argued that Alahverdian's actions were not only violent but also deceitful, using multiple aliases and evading capture for over a decade. The second conviction, scheduled for November, carries a sentence of five years to life in prison.
In court on Monday, Alahverdian maintained his innocence, stating "I am not guilty of this. These women are lying." However, his claims were met with skepticism, and he was sentenced to the maximum allowed by law.
The case highlights the devastating consequences of rape and the lengths perpetrators will go to avoid accountability. It also underscores the importance of clearing rape kits and working to bring justice to victims who have been left in the shadows for far too long.
thinking about this guy's audacity! Like, 10 years on the run because he wanted to avoid taking responsibility for his crimes? What kind of monster does that?! And the fact that he had to fake his own death just shows how messed up he was in the head. The DNA evidence, the tattoos, the whole nine yards... it's like he thought he was some kinda genius or something 
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. And now he gets to spend 5 years of his life behind bars? It's not enough, imo.
. We need more awareness and action on clearing those rape kits and supporting our victims. This case is a reminder that we still have a long way to go before we can say we're living in a society where everyone feels safe and respected 
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. But what really gets me is that he thought he could outrun justice for over a decade 
. Newsflash, buddy: you can't hide forever! And to make matters worse, he has the nerve to claim innocence in court? Give me a break 
. The victim's words really hit home - this guy left her and others with "a trail of fear, pain and destruction". Just another reason why we need better systems in place to track down these predators 
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at the same time its heartbreaking for the victims who had to go through all this trauma and pain because of him. the fact that he tried to deny his guilt and claim the women were lying is just disgusting. i guess you could say justice was served in the end but it took over a decade and a lot of hard work from law enforcement 
he's been running from justice for over a decade & now he's paying the price 
but idk why he thought it was a good idea 2 lie 2 everyone about his own death lol anyway glad that the victims got some semblance of closure & justice 
and what really gets me is that he was on the run for over a decade, like he thought he could just disappear? 
alahverdian's actions are literally despicable he thought he could just fake his own death & escape accountability 
it's a reminder that no one is above the law & we gotta keep fighting for justice & support for victims of rape 
. I guess you could say he was given exactly what he deserved... a harsh punishment for his crimes.
. Remember when you could find a person and get them to confess? Now it's all about DNA kits and technology... not that bad is bad, but sometimes I just wish things were simpler 
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. And to the ones who are still suffering, still waiting for justice, my heart goes out to you 
the DNA kit was like the ultimate plot twist 
they're not just survivors, they're thrivers 
it's a huge reminder of how important it is to support and believe our rape victims 
. But for real, 5 years in prison is a pretty standard sentence for someone who's committed such serious crimes. The fact that he was able to evade capture for so long is just mind-blowing 
. And can you even imagine the trauma and fear that his victims must have gone through? It's like, his actions caused a trail of destruction and pain, and now he's trying to say that the women are lying? No way, bro 
. This case is a total reminder that we need to keep fighting for justice and equality for everyone, especially those who've been left in the shadows. Let's keep pushing forward 
and he gets caught after 12 years because of a DNA test? it's crazy how technology can help bring these types of crimes to light. 
. The fact that he was able to evade capture for over a decade highlights the need for enhanced law enforcement efforts and international cooperation 
. Furthermore, the psychological trauma inflicted on his victims serves as a poignant reminder of the long-term consequences of rape and the importance of providing support services to survivors 
. Ultimately, this case underscores the need for collective action in preventing future cases of rape and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable 
. Anyways, glad they were able to bring him to justice and that he can't hurt anyone else for a while 
. I'm glad justice has been served, but like, five years feels kinda harsh considering what he's done? Maybe they could've gone for six or seven? Still, it's better than nothing 