Cardiologist now faces 34 felony counts for drugging or sexually assaulting 16 women

More women have come forward to accuse a Denver cardiologist of drugging them without their knowledge before sexually assaulting them.

Stephen Matthews, 35, was arrested March 22 for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting a woman, according to the Denver District Attorney’s Office. Matthews was charged with three felonies in that case.

By May 16, the number of victims had risen to ten. The allegations and charges were combined into one case, and 16 felony charges were filed against the defendant at that time.

On Wednesday, the district attorney’s office said that Matthews now faces 34 felony counts involving 16 victims. Matthews allegedly drugged all of the victims, according to the current charges.

He faces multiple felony counts of assault and sexual assault, including multiple victim helpless counts connected to 15 victims. The charge related to the 16th victim is that she was drugged without her knowledge.

According to an arrest affidavit, Matthews met some victims at restaurants on dates and afterward took them to his home where they got into a hot tub and Matthews allegedly made drinks spiked with drugs. He then allegedly attacked the women.

A licensed cardiologist affiliated with several hospitals in metro Denver, Matthews has said, through an attorney, that the sex was consensual.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday.