Utah Man Found Guilty of Sexual Assault After Allegedly Faking His Own Death to Escape Charges

Rhode Island Man Found Guilty of Rape After Faking His Death

A Rhode Island man, Nicholas Rossi, was found guilty of raping a former girlfriend in Utah. A jury reached the verdict after a three-day trial, where the survivor bravely shared her story. Rossi, 38, chose not to testify. He faces sentencing on October 20 and has another trial coming up in September related to a separate rape charge.

Rossi’s case began back in 2018 when authorities linked him to a ten-year-old DNA sample from a rape kit. This was part of Utah’s effort to clear a backlog of untested rape kits. In 2020, an obituary wrongly claimed Rossi had died of cancer, but police raised doubts. He was arrested in Scotland in 2021 while recovering from COVID-19, thanks to hospital staff recognizing him from an Interpol notice.

During the trial, the prosecution described Rossi as a charming man who took advantage of a vulnerable young woman. The survivor had been recovering from a brain injury and had responded to a personal ad Rossi placed on Craigslist. They quickly became engaged, but soon after, Rossi began demanding that she pay for dates and even for his car repairs. He attacked her one night after she drove him home, and she didn’t report the crime due to comments from her parents.

Rossi’s defense tried to argue that the survivor had resentment towards him and accused him of rape out of spite. However, it’s important to note that the survivor came forward only after learning about Rossi’s other allegations years later.

In a broader context, rape kit backlogs are still a major issue across the U.S. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, more than 400,000 untested rape kits were reported in the U.S. as of 2018. This case highlights the importance of addressing these backlogs to ensure justice for survivors.

Rossi’s history raises even more questions. He grew up in foster homes and was wanted in Rhode Island for failing to register as a sex offender. He also faces fraud charges in Ohio related to previous sex crimes.

As this story unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the complexities of sexual assault cases and the courage it takes for survivors to come forward. It also underscores the need for continuous efforts in law enforcement and advocacy to support survivors and hold offenders accountable.

For further insights and statistics about sexual assault and prevention, visit the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

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Crime, Nicholas Rossi, Law enforcement, Utah, Legal proceedings, Trials, Rhode Island, General news, Ohio, OH State Wire, UT State Wire, U.S. news, Arthur Knight, Scotland, Sexual assault, Nicholas Alahverdian