Baton Rouge man accused of intentionally exposing male partner to HIV virus
A 23-year-old man remains jailed Wednesday after being accused of intentionally exposing his male partner to the HIV virus over an eight-month period in Baton Rouge.
X was arrested and booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on a charge of intentional exposure to the AIDS virus.
If convicted, X would face a fine up to $5,000 and 10 years in prison. X is being held on a $15,000 bond.
The alleged victim, also a 23-year-old man, contacted authorities with the Baton Rouge Police Department in April, to report he had been exposed to the HIV virus without his prior knowledge or consent, a Baton Rouge police report says.
Isaac Gilliard, a prevention specialist with HIV/AIDS Alliance for Region Two, said Wednesday that health status should be a part of regular conversation when entering into a new relationship.
“What’s your shoe size, what’s your favorite color, do you know your status … it should be in that order,” Gilliard said.
The victim said he met X in August, and prior to their relationship, took a HIV test, in which he tested negative for the virus. The two men, according the report, engaged in both oral and anal intercourse after meeting last year.
In February, the victim learned that he had tested positive for the HIV virus. The victim asked X to take a HIV test, but he refused.
The victim then began hearing from friends that X knew he was HIV positive. X, however, did not reveal his condition to the victim during any time of their relationship, the report says.
X, who was on probation for an unrelated charge, told his probation officer in January 2014 that he was HIV positive.
Once a person does test positive for HIV, Gilliard said there are multiple resources available, both national and local. There are programs available for medicine, housing, dental services and case management.
