Michael L. Johnson could spend the next 30 years behind bars for infecting a male partner with HIV. According to reports by Stltoday.com, Johnson used dating apps such as Grindr and Adam4Adam to find men to sleep with in 2013.
However, Johnson never disclosed his status while engaging in sex and infected one of his sexual partners. He also reportedly had unprotected sex with four other men. Authorities located videos where Johnson engaged in sex with up to 32 men.
St. Charles County Circuit Judge Jon Cunningham decided to give Johnson 30 years in prison. Cunningham claimed that the victim and his family would be affected by the diagnoses for years to come.
However, a few gay rights organizations have spoken up for Johnson, saying the laws are outdated because HIV is no longer a death sentence. Johnson’s lawyer also said the victims engaged in consensual sex and had an opportunity to force Johnson to wear a condom.
Johnson was once a standout wrestler in high school and a junior college All-American at Lincoln College. He has yet to reveal if he will file for an appeal.
