Douglas County man convicted in date rape case met victims on dating apps, prosecutors say

A Douglas County jury convicted a Parker man last week of drugging and sexually assaulting four women he met through dating apps, according to the 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

David Kats, 56, was found guilty on Dec. 16 after a six-day jury trial on 17 felony counts, including 12 charges of sexual assault, court records show.

Each of the four women testified that they blacked out after being served drinks by Kats and later realized they had been sexually assaulted, according to a news release from the DA’s office. When Parker police officers searched the man’s home, they found “numerous substances used to incapacitate victims,” prosecutors said in the release.

The women discovered each other through posts in a “Are We Dating the Same Guy?” Facebook group, compared their experiences with Kats and reported him to the Parker Police Department, according to the news release.

Kats denied the date rape accusations during the trial and claimed the sexual encounters were consensual, but text messages from the victims showed them confronting him and expressing concern they had been drugged, according to the DA’s office.

“The bravery these women demonstrated by taking the stand and facing this predator cannot be overstated,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Danielle Jaramillo said in a statement. “Because of their courage, David Kats will finally be held accountable for the harm he caused.”

Kats will be sentenced on April 23, according to court records.

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