The Iowa Court of Appeals has affirmed a lower court ruling denying an Application for Post-Conviction Relief by Nick Rhoades, according to a statement by Lambda Legal, which represents him. Rhoades was sentenced to the maximum of 25 years in prison and lifetime registration as a sex offender after having a one-time sexual encounter with Adam Plendl during which they used a condom and no HIV was transmitted. After Plendl was told by a friend that Rhoades might have HIV, he contacted the police, who arrested Rhoades in September 2008. On the advice of his counsel, Rhoades pled guilty. He was convicted of intentionally exposing Plendl to HIV. Several months later, the court suspended his prison sentence, and he was placed on supervised probation for five years. In 2011, Rhoades filed an Application for Post-Conviction Relief, arguing that he received poor counsel. The court denied the application, which prompted this appeal. Rhoades and his attorneys are considering an appeal to the state supreme court.

To read the statement, click here.

To read a 2012 POZ profile of Rhoades, click here.