HILLSBORO, Ore- On September 1, 2023, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Brandon Thompson found Arash Golniakan guilty of Assault in the Second Degree, Attempted Kidnapping in the First Degree, Coercion, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing Constituting Domestic Violence, and three counts of Assault in the Fourth Degree Constituting Domestic Violence. Judge Thompson sentenced the defendant to 118 months in prison and three years of post-prison supervision. Senior Deputy District Attorney Gina Skinner prosecuted the case.

The defendant and victim were married but had just finalized their divorce. On April 5, 2021, the defendant called and texted the victim repeatedly demanding to know her location. After initially ignoring the messages, the victim conducted a video chat with the defendant. Within five minutes of that call, Mr. Golniakan drove to the victim’s location. He got out of his car and displayed a pocketknife. He told the victim he would kill her or himself that day. He then tried to push the victim into his vehicle. A struggle ensued. The defendant assaulted and stabbed the victim until she eventually agreed to get into the vehicle if Mr. Golniakan gave her the knife. He did and she threw it into bushes before he drove them back to their residence. 

Once they returned home, the defendant attempted to take his own life by overdosing on medication. The victim called 9-1-1. First responders took the pair to an area hospital where the victim reported the incident to police. She recounted details of the attack, spoke of previous incidents of domestic violence, and helped police locate the discarded knife. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office commends the victim for her bravery throughout the legal process. This office also thanks the Tigard Police Department for its work on this case.