A Denver court has handed down a 158-year prison sentence to cardiologist Stephen Matthews, convicted of raping at least nine women.
Matthews, 37, was overcome with emotion as Judge Johnson delivered the verdict, labeling him “one of the most prolific serial rapists in the history of the state of Colorado.”

The four-and-a-half-hour sentencing hearing featured heart-wrenching testimonies from Matthews’ parents and several victims.
One courageous survivor declared, “We are now a powerful army of survivors, and you are nothing.” Matthews’ father described his son as a narcissist struggling with alcoholism and troubling behavior, while his mother pleaded for mercy, hoping for rehabilitation.

Prosecutors revealed that Matthews used popular dating apps Hinge and Tinder to lure victims to his Denver home.
Once there, he would drug their drinks and assault them, often recording the acts and using them as blackmail. The assaults spanned four years, from 2019 to 2023.
Allie, one of Matthews’ victims, shared her terrifying experience with CBS News.
After matching on Hinge, Matthews invited her to a bar and later to his home to attend to his dog. Unbeknownst to Allie, Matthews had prepared a spiked drink.
“I didn’t want to be rude and didn’t want to offend him, so I took the drink,” Allie recounted. Shortly after, she fell ill, her speech slurred, and she collapsed, becoming semi-conscious as Matthews began recording her. He then forced her into a painful headlock, kissing her against her will.
Allie managed to flee, sick and disoriented, leaving behind her shoes and hailing an Uber.
Her bravery inspired other victims to come forward, forming a Facebook group to share their experiences.
By October 2023, over a dozen women had reported Matthews, leading to 38 counts involving 11 victims, including nine rapes. Denver District Attorney Beth McCann praised the survivors’ courage, saying, “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.”

Matthews’ lawyer, Douglas Cohen, announced plans to appeal the conviction, citing instructions for Matthews to remain silent during the hearing. Judge Johnson’s verdict ensures Matthews will spend the majority of his life behind bars, bringing closure to the survivors.
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