Palm Beach Sheriff Seeks Additional Victims in Dating App Sexual Assault Investigation

Authorities in Palm Beach County are asking for public assistance in identifying potential victims of a man suspected of exploiting online dating platforms to commit sexual assaults. The sheriff’s office made the appeal public on July 14, roughly five months after a woman reported being sexually assaulted and subsequently sought medical attention at a hospital.

The victim said she had matched with Stephen Hakim through the dating app Hinge. DNA evidence recovered from the woman matched Hakim’s genetic profile, according to court records filed in the case.

Toxicology testing of the victim’s blood and urine revealed traces of multiple sedative drugs. The woman stated she did not knowingly consume these substances, she told law enforcement investigators.

Hakim, 27, of Delray Beach, was arrested on July 8 and charged with sexual assault. He posted $25,000 bond and was released the next day. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

According to police reports, the woman and Hakim chatted on Hinge for about an hour before switching to text and video messages. They agreed to meet later that evening for what they described as a casual outing, police documents show.

The woman said Hakim picked her up around 11 p.m. in his vehicle, telling her they were going to a nightclub. Instead, he drove her to his apartment while traveling at speeds between 90 and 100 miles per hour in his black Tesla, she stated.

She described his sparsely furnished apartment as unusually clean, with no television or pets visible. The two drank four beers and discussed work, the alleged victim told deputies. When Hakim offered to give her a massage, she suddenly felt intense fatigue that left her unable to move.

After the alleged assault, the woman confronted Hakim about what happened. He responded by denying her account and dismissing her concerns, police documents indicate.

Hakim’s attorney has denied the allegations and told media outlets that his client maintains no assault occurred. The defense team has not pursued further media engagement on the matter.

A 2023 study by the Pew Center found that about 53 percent of adults aged 18 to 29 have used dating applications. Since the late 1990s, online dating platforms have reshaped how adults meet potential romantic partners, according to industry observers.

Megan Cutter, director of victim services at RAINN, the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, said that dating apps themselves are not inherently unsafe. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and provides advocacy services nationwide.

Cutter noted that many relationships formed through dating applications become healthy and lasting partnerships. She cautioned, however, that predators use these platforms to target unsuspecting victims.

RAINN data shows that only about one-third of sexual assault survivors report the crime to police. Victims often avoid reporting due to threats from offenders directed at themselves or their families, Cutter said.

According to RAINN, one in six American women experiences attempted or completed rape in her lifetime. Women between ages 18 and 24 face significantly elevated risk of sexual assault compared to other age groups.

Cutter advised dating app users to scrutinize profiles carefully for warning signs. Red flags include sparse biographical information, lack of social media verification, and minimal account details.

Users should be wary of matches who rush to exchange phone numbers or email addresses or want to move conversations off the app, Cutter recommended. Once predators obtain personal contact information, they may use it to locate where victims live or access their social media profiles.

Cutter suggested that dating profile photos should be different from images on personal social media accounts. Reverse image search technology allows quick identification of the same photo across multiple platforms, potentially revealing private information.

She also recommended removing metadata from photos before uploading them. Metadata contains hidden information such as geographic location and timestamps embedded in image files.

While millions use digital dating globally, Cutter emphasized that the platforms themselves can facilitate both positive and negative outcomes. “People find genuinely wonderful relationships through these apps,” she said. “The problem is when people use them to cause harm.”

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit is urging anyone who interacted with Hakim through dating services to come forward. Investigators suspect additional victims may exist who have not yet reported their experiences.