Arian Eteghaei sentenced to 30 years to life for sexual assault

A Santa Barbara judge has sentenced Arian Eteghaei, a former University of California, Santa Barbara student, to 30 years to life in state prison. The sentence follows his conviction in January for multiple felony sexual offenses, including forcible rape and sexual penetration with a foreign object, as well as misdemeanor domestic violence battery.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Von Deroian also ordered 364 days in county jail. The court heard emotional impact statements from two victims. One victim described the long-term psychological trauma and loss of safety resulting from the assault, while another's mother read a letter detailing the daughter's struggle with the incident.

Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch credited the courage of the victims and the work of the prosecution team for the successful conviction. The jury also found a special allegation to be true, noting that the sexual offenses were committed against more than one victim.