Indiana man accused of spreading HIV now faces 22 charges
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) – A 31-year-old western Indiana man accused of intentionally spreading HIV for more than a decade now faces six additional charges related to the case.
Isiah Benford of Terre Haute pleaded not guilty in June to 16 charges, ranging from aggravated battery to battery by body waste. Those charges stem from four sexual partners who say Bendord didn’t warn them that he was diagnosed with the virus in 2003.
WTHI-TV reports that the new charges are the result of a fifth woman who decided to officially become part of the case. An investigation is ongoing and officials hope more victims will come forward.
Benford’s trial is scheduled to being Dec. 7. He’s being held at Vigo County Jail on $100,000 bond.
It’s not clear whether he has an attorney who might comment on the new charges.