American Fugitive with Rape Charges Nicholas Rossi Extradited to US
An American fugitive, suspected of faking his own death and hiding out in Scotland to evade rape charges, has been extradited back to the US. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Nicholas Rossi, a 36-year-old American fugitive accused of orchestrating his own death to evade rape charges in Utah, has been successfully extradited from Scotland to the United States, according to The Guardian.

Nicholas Rossi's extradition marks the culmination of a complex legal battle and ongoing controversies surrounding his identity.

Rossi, also known as Nicholas Alahverdian in the US, is wanted in Utah for an alleged rape incident dating back to 2008.

In addition to the charges in Utah, Rossi faces complaints related to domestic violence in Rhode Island.

The American fugitive was traced to a Covid ward in Scotland, where he had been hiding, prompting authorities to initiate extradition proceedings.

Scotland police confirmed the completion of Rossi's extradition Friday, stating that they had assisted partner agencies in this lengthy legal process.

The extradition follows a November 2022 court ruling that affirmed Rossi's identity, dismissing his claims of being an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight.

Challenges in the Legal Battle

Nicholas Rossi, known to use multiple aliases, has consistently contested the charges against him, maintaining that the entire case is a result of mistaken identity, per BBC.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court received evidence that the tattoos and fingerprints of the individual matched those of Rossi, leading Sheriff Norman McFadyen to confirm his identity as the American fugitive in November of last year.

Despite this confirmation, Nicholas Rossi maintained that he had received the tattoos while unconscious in the hospital, suggesting an attempt to frame him.

Sheriff McFadyen dismissed this explanation as "fanciful," emphasizing that Rossi's multiple name changes were "consistent with someone with something to hide."

Despite numerous disruptions during court appearances and sacking his own lawyers on multiple occasions, the legal system confirmed his identity as Nicholas Rossi in November 2022.

Rossi's disruptive behavior in court, including claims of torture in prison and arriving in a wheelchair with an oxygen mask, has added complexity to the legal proceedings.

The American fugitive, Nicholas Rossi, lost his final appeal in December as Scottish ministers approved an order allowing his extradition to the US to face the pending charges.

Details of Allegations and Extradition Process

Rossi, also known as Nicholas Alahverdian, had been found guilty of sexual imposition and public indecency during his time as a student at Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio, in 2008.

The charges stemmed from an alleged attack on a former girlfriend, where he was accused of pushing her onto a couch and engaging in non-consensual intercourse despite her pleas.

Scottish Justice Secretary Angela Constance signed the order approving Rossi's extradition in September.

Rossi left Scotland on a private flight from Edinburgh Airport, landing in Salt Lake City on Friday afternoon.

The Utah County Sheriff's Office, anticipating Nicholas Rossi's arrival, expressed the significance of fingerprinting him as part of the booking process, particularly given his assertion of being Arthur Knight.

Former Utah prosecutor David O. Leavitt, who sought the American fugitive's extradition, acknowledged the efforts of law enforcement agencies worldwide and emphasized the pursuit of justice for the victims, The Providence Journal reports.

"Today marks a pivotal moment in pursuing justice as the responsibility shifts to Utah County. The victims deserve no less; the world will be watching," Leavitt said.

Nicholas Rossi's extradition is expected to shift responsibility to Utah County, where he will face the pending charges.

Additionally, officers in Essex have been investigating the American fugitive in connection with a non-recent allegation of rape reported in April 2022. He remains on bail in connection with this investigation.

"We assisted partner agencies with the extradition of a 36-year-old man," a Scotland Police said.

READ MORE  : Iowa School Shooting

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Fugitive Nicholas Rossi back extradited to the United States - From STV News