Johnnie PetersGENESEE COUNTY, MI (WNEM) -
Police are continuing to uncover details about the man investigators say had sex with multiple partners, all while knowing he's HIV-positive.
The Genesee County Sheriff's department and the Genesee County health department met this morning to discuss the investigation.
Johnnie Peters, 44, is accused of sleeping with his partners while leaving them in the dark about his status. Authorities said they know there are two victims, but the sheriff's department believes there could be more than 50.
Police said they believe Peters found out about his status when he was in the Jackson State Prison in 1995.
If you have had sexual contact with Peters, you're asked to go to the Genesee County Health Department to get tested.
Just two weeks ago, a 25-year-old Clare-area resident was arrested after failing to inform sex partners of his HIV infection. Officers from the Clare City Police arrested Philip Bryan Manners on Aug. 22 on a felony charge of Failing to Inform a Sex Partner that he is infected with HIV.
The Wayne State University's School of Medicine defines the HIV virus as:
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This virus weakens your immune system and makes it difficult for your body to fight illness. AIDS, however, stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is a series of infections that result from a weakened immune system and is caused by HIV.
Michigan enacted a law in 1989 that makes it mandatory for HIV-positive people to inform partners before sexual activity takes place. About 19,000 people are HIV/AIDS positive in the state.
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