Scroll To Top
HIV

San Diego Man Pleads Guilty to Spreading HIV

San Diego Man Pleads Guilty to Spreading HIV

No_contest_hiv_leadx400

The 30-year-old lied to his partner about his status, prosecutors say.

A San Diego man has pleaded no contest to willfully spreading HIV and faces six months in jail and a $1,000 fine in what the city attorney's office said was San Diego's first successful prosecution related to HIV transmission, reports TV station KFMB.

Thomas Miguel Guerra knew he had HIV when he began a relationship with another man but lied about his status, according to the city attorney's office. After telling his partner he was HIV-negative, Guerra encouraged his boyfriend to have unprotected sex with him. Months into the relationship, Guerra's partner tested positive for the virus. The partner would later discover that Guerra knew he was HIV-positive at the onset of their relationship. Guerra's partner filed a complaint with the San Diego Police Department in August of 2013.

"I hope this case helps to educate people that it is a crime to willfully expose someone to an infectious disease," city attorney Jan Goldsmith told KFMB. "The law is designed to protect the public and, in this case, the right of one's partner to know the truth."

Can't Cancel Pride 2023 LineupCan't Cancel Pride Promo

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Are you ready for the Pride concert event of the year?
Don't miss “Can't Cancel Pride: The Future Starts Now,” a celebration of resilience & unity presented by IheartMedia, Procter & Gamble, and equalpride!

WATCH IT online Thursday, June 15th at 8pm ET/5pm PT at advocatechannel.com or STREAM IT on the Advocate Channel App.

This year’s event is hosted by JoJo Siwa, with a star-studded line-up that includes performances by Big Freedia, Ciara, Billy Porter, Brandi Carlile, Hayley Kiyoko, and Adam Lambert!

Latest Stories