Palm Beach County authorities are urging women to step forward if they encountered a Florida man, Stephen Hakim, through online dating platforms. This request follows an investigation that began when a sexual battery case was reported at a Florida hospital. The victim said she met Hakim on Hinge. Court documents reveal that detectives matched Hakim’s DNA with specimens found on the victim.
Toxicology reports showed the presence of various sleeping drugs in the victim’s blood and urine. She stated to deputies that she did not consume those substances. Hakim, who resides in Delray Beach, was arrested and charged with sexual assault on July 8, later released on a $25,000 bond. He has entered a plea of not guilty.
Stephen Hakim, 27, of Delray Beach, faces an accusation of sexually assaulting a woman he met through the Hinge dating app.
According to reports, after connecting on Hinge, Hakim and the alleged victim exchanged messages and video calls. They agreed to meet later for what was intended as a relaxed, expectation-free evening. The woman recounted how Hakim picked her up at approximately 11 p.m. to visit a bar. Instead, he drove her to his apartment.
The woman recalled the ride in his black Tesla, which he drove at speeds between 90 and 100 miles per hour. She described his apartment as very clean, with little furniture and no television or pets. They consumed four beers while discussing various topics. Hakim then offered a massage, during which time she became extremely tired and unable to move before allegedly being assaulted. She reported that after the incident, Hakim’s response was dismissive and gaslighting.
Hakim’s legal team issued statements denying any non-consensual behavior, though they did not respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
Dating app safety experts advise caution about profiles that lack detail or prompt quick conversation moves off the platform. Megan Cutter of the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) emphasizes the importance of online safety. Although many dating app-initiated relationships succeed, some perpetrators exploit these platforms for criminal activity.
RAINN data indicates that one in six women in the U.S. has experienced sexual violence in her lifetime. Women aged 18 to 24 are particularly at risk. Despite this, only a third of sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement, often due to threats by perpetrators.
Cutter advises being wary of dating profiles with little information and suggests maintaining different images on dating apps than social media to prevent reverse image searches. Additionally, removing metadata from images can protect personal information.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office believes there could be more victims who have yet to come forward. The Special Victims Unit encourages anyone with information about encounters with Hakim to reach out.