GULFPORT, Miss. – A man is accused of knowingly exposing a Gulfport police officer to HIV, the virus that can lead to AIDS.
Investigators say the HIV positive man spat in the officers face during his arrest this week on felony and misdemeanor charges of trespassing, malicious mischief and intimidating a police officer. Benjamin Lowell, 51, was being held at the Harrison County jail.
The officer now must undergo testing to see if he develops any symptoms of the virus. Under state law, anyone who deliberately exposes a person to a contagious disease, such as HIV, could receive up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
