HIV-Positive Gwinnett Man Convicted Of Reckless Conduct

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A Gwinnett County man was sentenced to 10 years in prison Friday for soliciting sexual partners online without telling them he is HIV-positive.

James Propes, 24, was found guilty on two counts of reckless conduct by an HIV-infected person.

According to testimony in his trial, two women came forward last August to say they had had sexual relations with Propes after meeting via a Craigslist personal ad.

The first woman contacted police after finding a news article stating that he had been arrested and convicted of a similar crime in another state.

Propes has been charged with similar crimes in Oregon and Indiana. He pleaded guilty in the Oregon case and the Indiana case is still open.

The second woman learned Propes was HIV-positive after he was arrested.

Propes never disclosed his medical status to either of the victims, according to testimony.

At his sentencing Friday, Superior Court Judge Tom Davis had harsh words for Propes.

According to a readout from the District Attorney's office, Davis said Propes "is one of two types of people. One ... you have decided that you would do whatever it takes to do what you want to have a sexual encounter, or, two, you are an evil person and want to punish others for your illness."

Davis said he hopes Propes serves every day of his 10-year sentence and that, if he were able, he would have sentenced Propes to more time in order to keep the public safe.

The Gwinnett County District Attorney's office is urging anyone else who had sex with Propes without being notified he is HIV-positive to contact police.

Photo courtesy Gwinnett County District Attorney's office