Washington State man charged with intentional HIV exposures

A 32-year-old Olympia, Wash., man has been charged with intentionally exposing at least 17 women to HIV after he ignored an order from health officials to stop having unprotected sex. Four of the women have tested positive for HIV. Anthony E. Whitfield faces 17 counts of first-degree assault with sexual motivation as well as charges of witness tampering and violating no-contact orders involving two of the women. If convicted on all counts, he could face a 180-year prison sentence. Whitfield's attorney says he will plead not guilty to all of the charges. Whitfield was ordered by local health officials to refrain from having unprotected sex and to inform all previous partners that he is HIV-positive after a former sex partner tested positive for HIV infection. Authorities say he ignored that directive and a subsequent order, after which police became involved. (AP)