Fugitive who faked own death ‘a major danger to public’
He faces rape charge No2 ++ Accused of attacking ex in US ++ But he still claims it’s mistaken identity
A FUGITIVE facing extradition from Scotland has been described as a ‘substantial danger’ to the public as he was charged with a second rape in the United States.
Prosecutors in Utah say that Nicholas Rossi raped a former girlfriend in 2008, the same year he is accused of sexually assaulting another female.
They claim Rossi faked his own death and fled to Scotland to evade these and other sexual assault charges.
Salt Lake County district attorney Sim Gill signed off a new indictment against Rossi on Wednesday, with the document warning that he constitutes ‘a substantial danger to any other individual or to the community’.
A man alleged to be Nicholas Rossi was arrested at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow after nearly dying of Covid last December. However, the 35-year-old, who also goes under the name Nicholas Alahverdian, claims he is not Rossi and that his name is Arthur Knight.
But US court documents say that fingerprints taken from the suspect in Scotland match those of the wanted fugitive Rossi.
A spokesman for the district attorney said: ‘Nicholas Rossi is charged with rape, which is a first-degree felony.
‘A no-bail warrant for the arrest of Nicholas Rossi has been issued. We are working with the Utah County Attorney’s Office and the US Attorney on the extradition of Nicholas Rossi from Scotland.
‘The presumption of innocence applies. Nicholas Rossi remains innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.’ Further information released in the indictment says that Derek Coats, an officer with the Utah State Bureau of Investigations, believes Rossi to have been involved in other criminal cases in the states of Rhode Island, Ohio and Massachusetts.
According to the document, these allegations involve sexual assault, harassment and possible kidnapping.
Yesterday, at a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, the man alleged to be Rossi was ordered by prosecutors to provide his fingerprints again.
The suspect, who was in a wheelchair, was last week charged with threatening two medics at the QEUH.
He observed proceedings from HMP Edinburgh via video link and appeared to have a black eye and looked dishevelled. His wife, Miranda Knight, has been in court.
Procurator fiscal Julie Clark said that he has had his fingerprints taken in relation to
‘He continues to deny he is Rossi’
‘Arrest warrant has been issued’
that case, but it was the opinion of the Lord Advocate that a separate sample was needed for the extradition matter.
Sheriff Norman McFadyen made the order after the prosecutor said that establishing identity was the only issue.
Miss Clark told the court that lawyers for the man had previously given assurances that he would provide his fingerprints and DNA.
But Miss Clark said: ‘So far he has refused to do so. He continues to deny he is Nicholas Rossi and the Crown simply cannot establish his identity in the matter. That is why I am seeking a warrant.’
She said that the US authorities had provided a full set of fingerprints of Rossi’s and obtaining the man’s prints would help settle the matter.
Rossi was arrested last December 13 after being admitted to the QEUH with a serious Covid infection.
He is said to have checked in using the alias Arthur Knight and was traced following a tip-off from Interpol.