Police investigate HIV case
Sioux Falls police are investigating a report of criminal exposure to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Police spokesman Sam Clemens said a 25-year-old Sioux Falls man reported Monday that he recently learned his ex-boyfriend is infected with HIV.
“We don’t know, necessarily, that he is HIV-positive,” Clemens said of the suspect, a 20-year-old man.
Clemens wouldn’t say how the man learned of his ex-boyfriend’s condition.
Intentionally exposing someone to the virus is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
To convict, prosecutors must prove the defendant knew he was infected and intentionally exposed an unknowing partner.
Man Says Boyfriend Had HIV: Medical testing will be conducted to determine if the suspect has HIV
It showed up in the Sioux Falls Police incident report this morning.
Investigators are working to determine if a man possibly infected with HIV has sex with another man, exposing him to the virus.
“There is a point where it’s kind of like playing Russian Roulette with someone else’s life.” Don Reusch is gay and has lived in Sioux Falls for 20 years; the last 10 he’s been the pastor at “The Church of Saint Matthew The Martyr”.
He tells me among all his friends, gay or straight, this is one of the big fears: a partner who keeps a sexual disease secret. “I have conversations with folks that worry about who they’re with and where that person has been.”
Sioux Falls Police Officer Sam Clemens can’t say a lot because the investigation is happening right now. “The male victim came forward and said he learned about this and we’re looking into that.”
We’re told the suspect’s medical history will be reviewed and medical testing will be conducted to determine if the suspect has HIV or not.
It showed up in the Sioux Falls Police incident report this morning.
Tonight, investigators are working to determine if a man possibly infected with HIV has sex with another man, exposing him to the virus.
“I think people have become complacent and this is a public health issue.” Don Reusch believes medical advancements in treating aids has fostered a false confidence among people, making them more willing to put themselves..as possibly others….at risk.
We know the victim in this case is a 25 year old man from Sioux Falls; the suspect is a 20 year old man.
Editorial comment
It was the headline story on the local TV news, but where is the story, exactly?
Apparently, Sioux Falls police are investigating a report of criminal HIV exposure after a 25-year-old man reported to them that he recently learned that 20 year-old his ex-boyfriend is HIV-positive.
So, how did the local news report on it?
For their lead story on the 6pm news, they interviewed a local gay pastor who said that having sex without disclosing your HIV status is “kind of like playing Russian Roulette with someone else’s life.”
Some commenters on the TV station’s website were confused thinking that the pastor was the ‘victim’.
According to the Argus Leader newspaper, HIV exposure is a serious crime in South Dakota.
In addition, anyone found guilty under the law are now added to the sex offenders register.