Nicholas Alahverdian, also known as Nicholas Rossi, accused of faking death and fleeing U.S., was convicted in 2nd Utah rape trial

A man accused of faking his death and fleeing the United States to avoid sexual assault allegations was convicted in a second rape trial on Wednesday, according to public court records

A man accused of faking his death and fleeing the United States to avoid sexual assault allegations was convicted in a second rape trial on Wednesday, according to public court records.

Nicholas Alahverdian, 38, was found guilty of raping his ex-girlfriend on Sept. 13, 2008. It was the second rape conviction for Alahverdian, who has been identified and charged by authorities in Utah as Nicholas Rossi, in a matter of months.

In August, a Salt Lake City County jury found Alahverdian, a former advocate for foster youth in Rhode Island, guilty of raping his 24-year-old former fiancée in December 2008. He faces five years to life in prison.

Alahverdian pleaded not guilty in both cases and has denied any wrongdoing in media interviews. His defense attorney, Utah County public defender Daniel Diaz, said they planned on appealing the conviction and declined to comment further.

The Utah County Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.