Judge Orders Maximum Sentence for Former UCSB Student Convicted of Sexual Assault

Nearly eight months after a jury delivered its verdict, a Santa Barbara judge has handed down the maximum sentence to a former UC Santa Barbara student convicted of sexually assaulting two women. The sentencing brings a close to a protracted legal battle that has weighed heavily on the local community and the victims.

On Monday, Superior Court Judge Von Deroian ordered 24-year-old Arian Eteghaei to serve 364 days in county jail, immediately followed by 30 years to life in state prison, according to the Noozhawk. The sentence stems from a January conviction on multiple felony charges, including sexual penetration with a foreign object, domestic-violence battery, and forcible rape.

The case highlighted the far-reaching impacts of campus-area sexual assault, drawing attention to the severe and lasting trauma experienced by survivors within the tight-knit Isla Vista and UCSB communities.

Details of the Conviction and Sentencing

Eteghaei was convicted earlier this year for separate attacks on two women, identified in court as Jane Doe H.O.C. and Jane Doe M.E. During the trial, Jane Doe H.O.C. testified that Eteghaei assaulted her in his bedroom during a prom-themed party after she confronted him about cheating. Jane Doe M.E. testified that she was assaulted in her Isla Vista room after telling Eteghaei she regretted their prior encounter and wanted to end the relationship.

The sentencing hearing on Monday followed Judge Deroian’s denial of a defense motion for a new trial just days prior. Leading up to the hearing, Eteghaei remained in the custody of the Santa Barbara County Jail.

Victim Impact and the Cost of Trauma

The court proceeding featured powerful, emotional statements written by the two survivors, which detailed the profound disruption the assaults caused to their young lives and academic careers at UCSB.

A letter from Jane Doe H.O.C., read by victim witness advocate Tiffany Carty, emphasized the lasting fear and psychological toll of the assault. She noted the loss of joy she now feels when looking at photos of herself before the attack. She also detailed the financial burden of the trauma, including the cost of therapy and tuition lost from having to drop college classes.

Similarly, a letter from Jane Doe M.E., read aloud by her mother, Michele, revealed that she was forced to give up a full-ride graduate scholarship to UCSB. The survivor explained that the painful memories associated with Isla Vista and Santa Barbara forced her to go into debt to attend school elsewhere. She also expressed deep guilt for not reporting the assault immediately, noting she felt physically ill upon learning there were other victims.

Pleas from the Defense

During the hearing, Eteghaei’s defense team and family advocated for leniency, emphasizing his character and the impact of the case on their own lives. His father, Arasha, submitted a letter highlighting his son's dedication to education, soccer, martial arts, and community service, stating he never believed his son was capable of the crimes.

Eteghaei’s girlfriend of nine months, Heather Lowry, also gave a statement claiming that the accused was the only one who had "truly suffered" and that the survivors had been able to move on, finish their degrees, and enjoy their lives. Eteghaei himself made a brief statement, acknowledging that he had lied and cheated on women while at UCSB and claiming he had worked to become a better person.

The Judge's Rebuttal

Judge Deroian directly refuted the defense's narrative that the victims had moved on without impact. She emphasized the immense hardship and trauma associated with navigating the criminal justice system, which often involves having a survivor's integrity and decisions aggressively questioned. She noted that she could not imagine anyone willingly subjecting themselves to the grueling trial process without genuine cause, affirming her belief in the ongoing impact on the survivors. Before concluding the hearing, Judge Deroian expressed her hope that the Jane Does would be able to heal and move forward with their lives.

Eteghaei remains in custody. Local court records indicate he also has a pending criminal case for an unrelated matter, the Noozhawk reported, ensuring his legal entanglements will continue even as this specific chapter of campus-related violence reaches its conclusion.