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…

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