UCSB Rapist Sentenced to 30 Years to Life

The rapist from UCSB, who previously attempted to escape following his conviction, is now set to spend decades in prison.

Ariane Etegaei, 24, received his sentence on Monday from Judge von Deroian, amounting to 30 years to life in state prison for the sexual assaults of multiple women while he was attending the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Etegaei was found guilty on January 16 after a lengthy jury trial. The jury convicted him of forcible rape, forcible sexual penetration, and misdemeanor domestic violence.

The court acknowledged that there were multiple victims in this case, with a total of five women assaulted and a sixth victim attacked during Etegaei’s freshman year.

Following his conviction, Etegaei made a desperate attempt to escape. As deputies were handcuffing him and leading him to a secure holding cell, he broke free, running toward State Street in downtown Santa Barbara while shouting obscenities.

A bailiff pursued him but struggled to catch him. Eventually, another officer and two bystanders managed to subdue Etegaei.

At the time of his conviction, he was out on bail, having sought release pending sentencing. However, his freedom has now come to an end.

Prosecutor Savrnok commended the victims for their bravery in coming forward and navigating a challenging legal process. “This case materialized due to the extraordinary courage of the victims,” Savrnok emphasized, thanking the jurors for their careful consideration of the evidence throughout the months-long trial.

Overall, it’s a significant closure for the victims as Etegaei, who once attempted to flee court, now faces a lengthy prison sentence.