HIV-positive Georgia man arrested for having unprotected sex

Nov. 15 (UPI) -- A Georgia man was arrested earlier this week for allegedly having unprotected sex with a woman without telling her he was infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Ricky Billings, 52, was charged with felony reckless conduct after Athens-Clarke County police concluded an investigation that began back in September when a 32-year-old woman filed a complaint.

The police incident report contains medical information protected by Georgia privacy laws, but the arrest warrant indicates that Billings knowingly endangered the woman.

According to the warrant, Billings “did ... intentionally have unprotected sexual intercourse on multiple occasions with the victim without disclosing the fact that he was HIV positive.”

The Athens-Clarke County police Sex Crimes Unit and Drug Task Force investigated the matter.

Billings was released from jail on Wednesday after posting a $1,000 bond.

It’s not clear if the woman contracted HIV from Billings.

For those HIV-positive individuals who share their status with their partners, however, the future may be brighter. A newly-developed microbicide lube formula has shown potential preventing vaginal and rectal sexual transmission of HIV.

[Athens Banner-Herald]