The Palm Springs Police Department's (PSPD) investigation into a report of dating-app-related sexual assault has resulted in the arrest of a 56-year-old Desert Hot Springs man.
"Using illegal substances, overtly or covertly, to victimize an individual is inexcusable, and police will do all within their power to bring justice to those who victimize others through intoxication," PSPD said in a recent news release posted on Facebook.
The release cited numerous charges filed in a much-publicized sexual assault case dating back to January in which the victim identified himself as a gay man from St. Petersburg and reached out to other potential victims to expediate the investigation. During this period, as the department delved into the case and gathered evidence, it took the occasion to warn about using caution when meeting someone known only through a dating app.
"Today, Hakan Isik (02/11/67) of Desert Hot Springs, the primary suspect in the case, was arrested," PSPD said in the May 17 release. Isik was charged with penetration with a foreign object, sodomy, elder abuse, false imprisonment and administering a drug to commit a felony. The police department is withholding specific details in order to protect those involved and ensure the integrity of its investigation.
Describing the casework as extensive, PSPD delved into the steps it has taken, including the thorough examination of evidence, witness statements, collaboration with various parties and review of medical records. As time-consuming as the investigation has been, the department noted that it is not over yet, and officers continue to look into the facts as new information and additional people come forth.
The case gained strength when individuals with similar experiences to the victim spoke to police in multiple interviews, but their encounters did not rise to criminal status, PSPD said. Many of those individuals came to light after the victim of the January assault, who gave his name as Ray Snell, shared his story online. Snell, according to the Coachella Valley Times, told KESQ that he was drugged and "raped, burned, beaten, bitten and kicked" during the encounter.
As this case has highlighted the dangers of dating apps, it has also prompted warnings about behavior on meetups.
Brigham Young University's recent study of online dating apps revealed that among 1,968 cases, 14% led to sexual assault incidents, PSPD's news release said. Additionally, one-third of those cases resulted in strangulation and more severe injuries compared to other sexual assaults. Often, the assault occurred on the initial in-person meeting.
"Let's be clear; no means no!" PSPD said in the release, referring to the use of drugs and other intoxicating substances that might be administered to a victim. "Regardless of the type or length of the relationship or sexual orientation, all activities must stop immediately when a person says stop. If a person cannot say no, then the answer is still no."