PICS OF DAY

PICS OF DAY
Virgin Mary In Tree Stump?

°

Homepage / Orlando News
Text Size

Woman Sent To Prison For HIV Virus Transmission

25-Year-Old Claims More Than 200 Sex Partners Since Diagnosis

POSTED: Friday, December 19,
UPDATED: 11:32 pm EST December 21, 2003

A HIV-positive woman accused of having unprotected sex with hundreds of men pleaded guilty Friday to criminal transmission of the virus that causes AIDS.

Melissa Jernigan, 25, also pleaded guilty to one count of battery on a law enforcement officer. Prosecutors say she spat on two corrections officers while she was at the Duval County Jail.

Jernigan was arrested in March after two men came forward to say she had sex with them without disclosing she was HIV-positive. After her arrest, she told police she'd had unprotected sex with at least 200 men since she was diagnosed in 1999.

While Jernigan was initially found incompetent to stand trial, two psychiatrists had recently found Jernigan mentally competent.

After the guilty pleas, Judge Peter Dearing sentenced Jernigan to 23 months in prison on the sexual transmission charge, but she was credited with the 288 days she has already served. She was sentenced to 13 months in prison for battery on an officer, which will be served concurrently.

Under Florida law, an HIV-positive person having sex with a partner without informing them about the diagnosis is committing a third-degree felony, punishable by five years in prison.

Defense attorney Mark Miller said there was no evidence that any Jernigan's sex partners were infected with the virus.
Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Find out which triggers are under your control. The answers could prevent migraines, and keep you off the sidelines. More

A great bedroom is designed to be a sanctuary where you can relax and get a good night’s sleep. Find out how to create the perfect bedroom. More

Don’t ruin your chances of landing that new job by making easy to correct mistakes on your cover letter. More

Make your dreams of a college education come true and take advantage of over 4 million tuition-free scholarships available to real people just like you! More

Most Popular