Authorities said a Colorado doctor was accused of sexually abusing a woman he met on a dating app and was detained when he appeared in court this week after nine more claimed victims came forward.
According to CBS News Colorado, Dr. Stephen Matthews, 35, was charged in March with three felony charges of sexual assault for an alleged date rape of a woman he met on Hinge in January.
Matthews was charged with sexual assault without permission, sexual attack on a helpless victim, and sex assault on an incompetent victim on March 22.
He told investigators that he and the lady “had consensual sex,” but she said she never provided consent and had no memory of having sex with him after they had a drink.
On Monday, he arrived for a preliminary hearing and was arrested outside the Denver courtroom while speaking with his family.
He was arrested and charged with 13 further criminal offenses involving nine additional victims.
Carolyn Tyler, a Denver DA representative, confirmed to CBS News Colorado that the women had come forward in recent weeks.
According to the Denver Post, Matthews is now charged with three counts of sexual assault (victim helpless); one count of sexual assault – no consent, drugging; two counts of sexual assault – overcome will, drugging; three counts of sexual assault – victim incapable appraising condition, drugging; and seven counts of second-degree assault – drugging.
According to CBS News Colorado, Matthews and the lady arranged to meet for brunch and mimosas before walking to his adjacent house in January.
She told police that they had played Jenga and “hung out in his hot tub” before she became ill. Her next recollection, she added, was of being treated by paramedics at her house about 10 hours later.
The woman discovered “hickies on her chest but did not remember any interaction like that with Stephen,” according to a police document obtained by CBS News Colorado.
When she refused to meet with Matthews again, he reportedly gave her nude images of herself, according to the Denver Post.
She then discovered that a family member “had a similar experience” on a date with Matthews some years previously.
According to the doctor, the woman drank “one or two mimosas” and another mimosa at his residence while “he was having tequila.”
He said she had two shots of tequila and that when he asked her if she wanted to go to bed, they began kissing in the hot tub.
Matthews admitted to police that she did and that “they had consensual sex,” after which she vomited three times and he assisted her before she got an Uber and left.
Attorney Doug Cohen told CBS News on Monday that his client “is innocent until proven guilty,” and that the recent spate of cases is “a rush to judgment.”
In court, he described Matthews’ detention as “nothing more than a public spectacle.”
He added: “It’s something they did not have to do. They had him arrested right in the hallway and that was not necessary for public safety or any other reason than to create a public spectacle.”
Cohen earlier told the outlet that the initial case was “based on the government’s rush to judgment, errors of omission, and failure to fully investigate.
“The case is about two adults, who, like many folks these days, met online and had consensual sex on their first date. Unfortunately, that lifestyle can result in buyer’s remorse, jilted lovers and tall tales. But it’s not a crime,” he said.
The attorney also said the government “had no forensic medical evidence to prove the accuser was too impaired to consent. We will defend him to the fullest.”
Some of the victims sought medical help and documentation after the alleged incidents, according to the Denver Post.
A spokesperson for the Denver DA’s Office declined to comment to the outlet.
Matthews, who is linked with many hospitals in metro Denver, was freed on $50,000 bail following his arrest on March 22.
According to CBS News, his medical license is shown as active, with no disciplinary measures against it.