Man weeps as he’s found guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting women from dating apps

36-year-old Stephen Matthews, a former cardiologist, was found guilty on Tuesday of 35 out of 38 charges, including sexual assault and second-degree assault in a Denver court.

The charges stem from allegations that Matthews drugged and sexually assaulted women he met on dating apps like Hinge and Tinder.

The jury’s decision could result in Matthews serving up to 25 years in prison.

Matthews, who had been arrested in March of last year, broke down in tears during the court proceedings, frequently hiding his face in his hands as the verdict was read.

His arrest followed a report from a woman who claimed Matthews assaulted her after they went to brunch, leading other victims to come forward with similar accusations.

Prosecutors detailed how Matthews’ victims, who encountered him between 2019 and 2023, reported experiencing memory loss and believed they had been drugged and, in some cases, sexually assaulted after having drinks with him.

Despite Matthews’ emotional display in court, many of his victims expressed doubt about his remorse.

One victim said, “A verdict doesn’t change what happened to you. There are lifelong physical and emotional things that I will be dealing with as a result of what happened to me. I think he’s not sorry for what he did. I think he’s sorry he got caught.”

Another victim criticized Matthews for taking away “years of our life.”

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Matthews strategically targeted his victims, often meeting them at locations close to his home before inviting them over. They described him as a man who felt entitled to violate women for his own gain, robbing them of their memory and bodily autonomy.

However, Defense attorneys argued that the case was built on inconsistent stories from the alleged victims and lacked sufficient evidence. They contended that the prosecution’s case relied heavily on emotional testimony rather than concrete proof.

Matthews, who has been held on a $5 million bond since his arrest, faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 25 years in prison and scheduled to be sentenced on October 25.

Denver District Attorney Beth McCann praised the victims’ bravery in coming forward, stating, “Stephen Matthews took advantage of nearly a dozen women in the most egregious way imaginable, and for that, he will now pay a significant price.”

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