A Colorado cardiologist was accused of sexually assaulting a woman he met on a dating app – and was arrested when he showed up in court this week after nine more alleged victims came forward, authorities said.
Dr. Stephen Matthews, 35, was charged in March with three felony counts of sexual assault for an alleged date rape of a woman he met on Hinge in January, CBS News Colorado reported.
Matthews had been charged on March 22 with sexual assault with no consent, sexual assault on a helpless victim, and sex assault on an incapable victim.
Denver cardiologist Stephen Mattthews, 35, faces 16 felony counts involving 10 women he was accused of drugging and sexually assaulting after meeting them on a dating app.Denver Police Department
He told investigators that he and the woman “had consensual sex,” but she said she never gave consent and had no recollection of having sex with him after they had a drink.
When he appeared for a preliminary hearing on Monday, police showed up and handcuffed him while he was outside the Denver courtroom and talking to his family.
He was hauled off to jail and slapped with 13 additional felony counts involving nine more women.
Denver DA rep Carolyn Tyler confirmed to CBS News Colorado that the women had come forward in recent weeks.
Dr. Stephen Mattthews, 35, a Denver cardiologist, faces 16 felony counts involving 10 women he was accused of drugging and sexually assaulting after meeting them on a dating app.Denver Police Department
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, the Denver Post reported.
In the January case, Matthews and the woman agreed to meet for brunch and had mimosas before they walked to his nearby home, according to CBS News Colorado.
She told investigators they played Jenga and “hung out in his hot tub” before she began to feel unwell. Her next memory, she said, was from almost 10 hours later as she was being treated by paramedics at her home.
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.
Matthews was arrested on Monday on several additional charges after he showed up for a court hearing in connection with an incident involving a woman in January.CBS
When she declined to meet Matthews again, he allegedly sent her nude photographs of her, the Denver Post reported.
She said she later found out that a family friend “had a similar experience” when she went on a date with Matthews several years earlier.
The doc told investigators that the woman had “one or two mimosas” and had another mimosa at his house while “he was having tequila.”
He said she had two shots of tequila and that they started kissing in the hot tub when he asked her if she wanted to go to bed.
Matthews told police she did and that “they had consensual sex,” after which she vomited several times and he helped her before she called for an Uber and went home.
He added that she was apologetic when he checked in with her later.
Attorney Doug Cohen told CBS News Monday that this client “is innocent until proven guilty,” and called the rash of cases “a rush to judgment.”
He called Matthews’ arrest in court “nothing more than a public spectacle.”
The cardiologist faces multiple charges of sexual assault and drugging.Denver Police Department
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.
After his March 22 arrest, Matthews, who is affiliated with several hospitals in metro Denver, was released on a $50,000 bond.
His medical license is listed as active and indicates there are no disciplinary actions against it, according to CBS News.