A Delray Beach man accused of sexually assaulting a woman he met on a dating app is denying the allegations against him, and his attorney says he expects the case to end in his client’s favor.Stephen Hakim is charged with sexual battery after investigators say a woman reported being drugged and sexually assaulted in his apartment earlier this year.According to the probable cause affidavit, the woman told police she met Hakim through the dating app Hinge before the two went to his apartment in January. The woman said she specifically told Hakim she did not want any expectations or pressure and simply wanted to spend time talking.The police report states that after drinking beer and talking, Hakim offered to give her a massage. The woman told investigators she became extremely tired and dozed off while on Hakim’s bed. The woman said she woke up to Hakim sexually assaulting her. The woman left the apartment and went to a hospital, where a sexual assault examination and toxicology test were done.According to the police report, the toxicology results showed several drugs classified as sleeping medications in the woman’s system. Investigators say she denied voluntarily taking those medications.WPBF 25 News also spoke with a different woman who asked not to be identified and claimed she previously knew Hakim. She said that during one interaction, Hakim invited her to his apartment, but she declined because she had a bad feeling about him. Former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg, who is not involved in the case, said he expects the defense to argue the encounter was consensual, while prosecutors will likely focus on the toxicology report.”They’re going to claim that they went out late at night voluntarily to his house and there was a consensual massage. Now she is going to have to help the state prove that there was no consent because of the substances in her system that she didn’t take voluntarily. That’s a sign that there was no consent. Otherwise, it could be he said, she said, and those are really difficult to prosecute,” Aronberg said.Hakim’s attorney released the following statement to WPBF 25 News:”Mr. Hakim adamantly denies the allegations that the relations between the parties in this matter were unconsented. A thorough review of the probable cause affidavit raises serious questions regarding the credibility of the accuser. Mr. Hakim wholeheartedly looks forward to his day in court when all facts will be presented, and we have full faith that at that time, Mr. Hakim will be fully exonerated.”WPBF 25 News will continue following the case and provide updates as they become available.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. —
A Delray Beach man accused of sexually assaulting a woman he met on a dating app is denying the allegations against him, and his attorney says he expects the case to end in his client’s favor.
Stephen Hakim is charged with sexual battery after investigators say a woman reported being drugged and sexually assaulted in his apartment earlier this year.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the woman told police she met Hakim through the dating app Hinge before the two went to his apartment in January. The woman said she specifically told Hakim she did not want any expectations or pressure and simply wanted to spend time talking.
The police report states that after drinking beer and talking, Hakim offered to give her a massage. The woman told investigators she became extremely tired and dozed off while on Hakim’s bed. The woman said she woke up to Hakim sexually assaulting her.
The woman left the apartment and went to a hospital, where a sexual assault examination and toxicology test were done.
According to the police report, the toxicology results showed several drugs classified as sleeping medications in the woman’s system. Investigators say she denied voluntarily taking those medications.
WPBF 25 News also spoke with a different woman who asked not to be identified and claimed she previously knew Hakim. She said that during one interaction, Hakim invited her to his apartment, but she declined because she had a bad feeling about him.
Former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg, who is not involved in the case, said he expects the defense to argue the encounter was consensual, while prosecutors will likely focus on the toxicology report.
“They’re going to claim that they went out late at night voluntarily to his house and there was a consensual massage. Now she is going to have to help the state prove that there was no consent because of the substances in her system that she didn’t take voluntarily. That’s a sign that there was no consent. Otherwise, it could be he said, she said, and those are really difficult to prosecute,” Aronberg said.
Hakim’s attorney released the following statement to WPBF 25 News:
“Mr. Hakim adamantly denies the allegations that the relations between the parties in this matter were unconsented. A thorough review of the probable cause affidavit raises serious questions regarding the credibility of the accuser. Mr. Hakim wholeheartedly looks forward to his day in court when all facts will be presented, and we have full faith that at that time, Mr. Hakim will be fully exonerated.”
WPBF 25 News will continue following the case and provide updates as they become available.
Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News