Authorities in Palm Beach County are requesting that women come forward if they have had encounters with a Florida man, Stephen Hakim, who allegedly met victims through online dating platforms. This request was made on July 14, following a sexual battery investigation that began five months earlier at a Florida hospital. The victim reported that she met Hakim on the dating app Hinge, and DNA evidence linked him to the case. Toxicology tests revealed the presence of multiple sleeping drugs in the victim's system, which she stated she did not consume.
Hakim, 27, from Delray Beach, was arrested and charged with sexual assault on July 8 and released the following day on a $25,000 bond. He has pleaded not guilty. According to court documents, after matching on Hinge, the victim and Hakim exchanged messages for about an hour before meeting in person. The victim stated that Hakim drove her to his apartment instead of a bar, where they consumed alcohol before she became incapacitated and was subsequently assaulted.
Hakim's attorney has stated that he denies the allegations of non-consensual actions. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has indicated that there may be additional victims and is urging anyone with information to come forward. A representative from RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) noted that while many relationships formed on dating apps are healthy, there are risks associated with their misuse by perpetrators. They emphasized the importance of safety when using online dating services.