A 29-year-old gay man from Fresno, CA, is accused of knowingly spreading HIV. Thomas Guerra, who is HIV positive, potentially exposed up to 24 unsuspecting sexual partners after he convinced them to have unprotected sex. Guerra then bragged about the encounter to friends on social media. 

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Police confiscated several texting records and e-mails, one of which reads, "Yay lol. Someone getting poz that day. Already poz. Poor sucka." 

"Poz" is short for "HIV positive." According to prosecutors, Guerra was on a mission to spread the potentially deadly virus to as many people as possible. While HIV can now be successfully mitigated, there is no cure.

The investigation began when Guerra's ex-partner filed a complaint claiming Guerra had lied about his HIV status before their relationship commenced. The accuser, who remains anonymous, told reporters and law enforcement he had been in a long-term relationship with Guerra and was planning to propose marriage when he got a message on Facebook from another ex-boyfriend warning of Guerra's HIV-positive status.

In the gay community, Guerra is known as a "gift-giver," a person who knowingly spreads HIV. Those seeking to be infected are called "bug chasers." "Neg" or "Neggie" refers to a person who is not infected with HIV.

The conscious spread of the virus that cause AIDS is classified as a criminal act under California law and that of several other states. The Center for HIV Law and Policy lists 168 cases of prosecution of criminal transmission of HIV between 2008 and 20013. California also mandates that those who are infected with HIV divulge their status to all potential partners.

Of the two dozen men Guerra is known to have come into contact, some are underaged, alleges his ex-partner. It was also discovered that Guerra used the alias of "Thomas Chavez" when meeting his victims. Officials have stated the possibility that several other men have been exposed, a number some estimate as in the hundreds.

The charge of willfully exposing another to HIV is classified in California as a misdemeanor that carries a maximum of six months in jail and a $1000 fine. If the charges are upgraded to a felony offense, Guerra could face up to eight years in prison. 

It is not known if Guerra was under treatment for his HIV.

Tagsbug chaser, gift-giver, HIV, AIDS, willful exposer to HIV