Mumbai, December 18: A serial sex offender from Douglas County in the US has been found guilty of over a dozen felony counts for a nearly decade-long campaign of drugging and sexually assaulting women he met through popular dating apps. David Kats, 56, was convicted Wednesday, December 17, 2025, on 17 counts, including 12 counts of sexual assault and five counts of second-degree assault. The verdict follows a high-profile investigation that gained national attention after four of Kats’ victims used a social media group to piece together his predatory patterns.

The case against Kats first gained momentum when four women discovered one another through an "Are We Dating the Same Guy?" Facebook group, according to a news release from Colorado’s 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office. While these groups are commonly used to discuss relationship red flags or infidelity, the survivors in this case used the platform to share chillingly similar accounts of their dates with Kats.

Each victim described a consistent routine: they matched with Kats on a dating app, met for drinks, and quickly "blacked out." They reported waking up hours later with evidence of sexual assault. After realizing they were not alone, the women collectively contacted the Parker Police Department to report the serial predator. US: Science Teacher Grooms Student With Google Docs in Florida, Has Sex With Her in Office and Classroom; Arrested After Victim Shows Bruises and Bite Marks to Art Teacher.

Evidence of Drugging and Deception

The subsequent police investigation corroborated the survivors' accounts. A search of Kats’ residence in Parker uncovered multiple substances used to incapacitate victims. Furthermore, prosecutors presented text messages during the trial from the victims themselves, who had confronted Kats immediately after their encounters, expressing fear that they had been drugged.

Throughout the trial, Kats maintained his innocence, claiming the sexual encounters were consensual and denying any wrongdoing. However, the jury rejected his defense after hearing testimony from survivors, including Sherry Salazar and Nicholle Shupe.

"I did not want any woman to feel the way that I feel. And I felt like what he has done to my life is horrific, and I don’t know when or if I’ll ever move on, per se. But I will get better," Shupe was quoted as saying by 9 News.

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

District Attorney George Brauchler echoed these sentiments, noting that Kats used "drugs, deception, and manipulation" to prey on women who trusted him. He emphasized that the conviction on all 17 counts sends a strong message regarding the severity of such predatory conduct. Sex Assault, Satanic Rituals: New Jersey Police Chief’s Daughter Alleges Rape, Torture by Father.

David Kats Sentencing

David Kats remains in custody and is scheduled for sentencing on April 23, 2026. Under Colorado law, he could face a range of penalties, with the most severe carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison.

What Is 'Are We Dating the Same Guy?' Facebook Group?

Are We Dating the Same Guy? (AWDTSG) is a viral network of private, city-specific Facebook groups designed as a "whisper network" for women to vet potential partners and share dating experiences. Originally founded in New York in 2022, the movement has grown into hundreds of local chapters where members post screenshots of men’s dating profiles to ask for "tea" (gossip) or warnings about red flags. While the groups are primarily used to expose chronic cheaters or "catfish," they have increasingly served a critical safety function by allowing survivors to crowdsource information on high-risk predators, as seen in the David Kats case.

However, the groups remain highly controversial and have faced numerous legal challenges, with critics and some legal experts arguing they can facilitate anonymous defamation, invasion of privacy, and digital bullying without giving the accused a way to defend themselves.

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TruLY Score 5 – Trustworthy | On a Trust Scale of 0-5 this article has scored 5 on LatestLY. It is verified through official sources (Colorado District Attorney’s Office). The information is thoroughly cross-checked and confirmed. You can confidently share this article with your friends and family, knowing it is trustworthy and reliable.

Women and Child Helpline Numbers:

Childline India – 1098; Missing Child and Women – 1094; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women and Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/1291.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 18, 2025 10:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).