March 18, 2010

HIV-Positive Indiana Man Faces 15 Additional Nondisclosure Charges

In February, Tony Perkins, an HIV-positive Indiana resident, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of failing to warn a sexual partner he had HIV. Perkins, 47, now faces an additional 15 felony counts after 26 more women came forward to claim they had sex with him and to file charges against him, The Indianapolis Star reports.

“We’re hoping this is going to wrap up this one,” Greenwood police chief Joe Pitcher said of the new criminal charges. “We think we’ve reached out and found everyone possible.”

None of the women who have come forward has tested HIV positive, said county prosecutor Brad Cooper in a statement. The maximum penalty for each new count, currently a Class D felony, would be six months to three years. However, that charge would rise to Class C with a corresponding penalty that would increase to two to eight years if any of the women tests positive.

Perkins is being jailed without bond and is scheduled for a sentencing April 21.

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Previous Comments:

Regina, Lake Charles, 2010-09-20 15:48:31
People deserve to know if you put them at risk. The lack of the spread of his disease should lessen his sentence. Remember, none of the victims were infected by this guy...he must have done something to protect them.

Stop Criminalizing HIV, , 2010-04-11 11:27:37
Stop the criminalization of HIV!

frank, , 2010-04-10 00:35:21
I am so sick of hearing it's the HIV persons responsiblity! Well, gee whiz, since you say you don't have STDs then lets have unprotected sex! STOP putting YOUR responsibilies on other person and start taking responsiblities for YOUR own actions. YOU have sex without a condom, you can catch AIDS as well as alot of other STDs. Should we also jail those with other diseases too?

Madison Bleu, , 2010-03-26 09:09:07
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the same guy who admitted that his intent was to purposely try to infect others?? If thats the case its not like he didn't know or was 'afraid' to tell his partners about his status. He acted with malice and therefore by law SHOULD be held accountable for his actions. I firmly believe that everyone is responsible for protecting themselves but if ppl are purposely trying to harm others then they should be jailed.

Doug Williams, Long Beach, CA, 2010-03-23 13:40:29
Gee, he didn't tell them... Did they ask??? Yes I am HIV+ and I tell everyone that I even think I might have sex with, I'm just really FREAKING tired of the rest of the world thinking that it's my responsibility to protect their health from their own stupididty!!!! I DO my part... You DO yours!

Bruce McGuire, miami, 2010-03-23 12:33:01
i am no longer amazed at what people are willing to give up. Man created this disease in a pettry dish and then let it out amoung us in primates, then one was bitten, and now 100,000,000 CASES AND THEY WANT TO CRIMINALIZE HAVING A DISEASE.PARENTS WANT TEACHERS, CELL PHONES. AND TEEN PEERS TO TEACH THIER CHILDREN ABOUT SEX, THAT SAVES THEM THE EMBARRASMENT. GOVERNMENT HAS NOW AGREED TO MAKE IT A CRIME IF YOU CANT OR DONT PAY FOR HEALTH INSURANCE, NOT WHAT IS MEANT BY FREEDOM, IN THE CONSTITUTION

grace, United States, 2010-03-22 09:57:49
It is ethical to disclose, but criminalizing HIV does little to stop the spread of it. It stigmatizes it further, preventing people who are poz but don't know it from getting tested, further spreading the disease. And those people who refuse to get tested but have unsafe sex face no legal consequences. Getting tested is responsible, but those that choose to not, face no consequences. People need to assume anyone is poz without seeing test results, and take responsibility for their own health

George Maris, Charlottesville VA, 2010-03-19 09:44:14
Laws are placed on the books, for the purpose of protecting the community. Disclosure of HIV status for HIV positive men or women are important for the spread of the disease. Persons do have a right to know if you are putting them at risk.