Former UCSB Student Convicted of Rape Now Charged with “Escape by Force” After Fleeing

Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch has filed a felony complaint charging former UC Santa Barbara student Arian Eteghaei, 23, with one count of escape by force stemming from a Jan. 16, 2026 incident.

The new filing comes after a jury, following a three-month trial, found Eteghaei guilty of Forcible Sexual Penetration, Misdemeanor Domestic Violence, and Forcible Rape involving two victims, and found true a special allegation that the crimes were committed against more than one victim.

Following the announcement of his conviction in a Santa Barbara County courtroom, Eteghaei was being escorted by Sheriff’s Bailiffs across Figueroa Street when he managed to escape and run towards State Street. 

Bailiffs were able to tackle Eteghaei while passersby assisted in holding him down. 

Eteghaei is scheduled to be arraigned March 18, 2026, in Department 8 of the Santa Barbara Superior Court. He is currently held without bail.

The new case is being prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Casey B. Nelson and was investigated by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. 

During the three-month trial, jurors were unable to reach verdicts on 14 additional counts on Eteghaei, a former soccer player originally from Dublin, Ca. 

Arrested in 2021 while a freshman biology student and initially charged with sexual assaults on three women—after publicity prompted three more to come forward—Eteghaei faced testimony from many women at trial, including an ex-girlfriend who said he raped and assaulted her during a prom-themed party at his Isla Vista apartment, while he took the stand to claim the encounters were consensual.

Eteghaei was remanded without bail and remains in custody pending sentencing, set for April 8, 2026, in Department 11 of the Santa Barbara County Superior Court before Judge Von Deorian.

He faces a potential sentence of 30 years to life in state prison.

“The victims in this case showed remarkable bravery by coming forward, reporting the crimes, and taking the stand to testify during this lengthy trial,” District Attorney Savrnoch said, also commending the prosecution team, DA investigators, victim advocates, and the UCSB Police Department for their work.